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Posts Tagged ‘Adam Zinser’

Off Early for the Holiday

November 27th, 2008 - 4:01pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

The Broncos held an early 10:20 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. practice at Dove Valley so players could get home to spend Thanksgiving with family, and by all accounts, everyone was in high spirits, laughing and joking around in the locker room before heading their separate ways.

But we were able to chat with a couple players before they headed out, so here are some quick hits from the day’s events.

DINNER WITH IRVIN

A few days before Thanksgiving, Brandon Marshall had dinner with a Hall of Famer — former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.

“It was right after the Oakland game,” Marshall said. “I sat down with Michael Irvin after the game for dinner, and he put a lot of things into perspective for me.”

When you’re an up and coming young wide receiver in the NFL, seeking out a knowledgeable veteran who has been there and done that can only help.

“I think we all know what type of guy he is and the things he has been through,” Marshall said. “All I did was shut my mouth and listen a lot. He told me to surround myself with good people, to do the right things and continue to do what I am doing. I feel good with the direction I am heading as a person and I am thankful. It is Thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for including the season, the organization, the NFL giving me another chance and the fans giving me another chance.”

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Broncos Add Fullback Pinnock

November 26th, 2008 - 11:20am by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Now Spencer Larsen has a little company at fullback and may not have to start both ways.

The Broncos have signed free agent fullback Andrew Pinnock, Head Coach Mike Shanahan has announced.

Pinnock joins the Broncos in his sixth year in the league after spending his first five with the Chargers. The 5-foot-10, 250-pounder was selected by the Chargers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft from the University of South Carolina.

He has played in 42 career games with three starts, totaling 18 rushes for 56 yards and four receptions for 31 yards. His three starts came last year as he saw action in 10 games. In 2005, he played in 12 games, and he saw action in all 16 contests as a rookie.

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Davis, Sharpe Among 25 H.O.F. Semifinalists

November 25th, 2008 - 5:28pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

The list of players eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2009 has been narrowed down to 25 semifinalists.

Four first-year eligible players are in the group, including former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe. The other first-year eligible players are John Randle, Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson.

Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis is also among the 25 semifinalists.

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Dual Rookie Excitement

November 21st, 2008 - 3:49pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

It’s only natural that the rookies feel generally excited about Sunday’s game — after all, six of them have been in starting roles, sometimes at different positions.

But for Josh Bell and Spencer Larsen, it’s a little different this week.

Bell, an undrafted rookie out of Baylor, started the first game of his career last week in Atlanta opposite Dre’ Bly.

This week, with the odds even better that Champ Bailey will resume his spot in the starting lineup, Bell could play at nickelback. If that’s the case, he’s looking forward to being on the field with both Bailey and Bly, two of the best in the business.

“I’ve been looking up to Dre’ Bly for a while, since he was at Carolina, watching him when I was back in high school,” Bell said. “Then Champ being one of the best, if I can get my little brothers and my family to see me with those two, and I’m good enough to be there, it’s going to be a great thing. I’m going to cherish the moment.”

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Larsen Wins Rookie of the Week

November 21st, 2008 - 12:19pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Spencer Larsen suddenly found himself thrust into the spotlight after his performance in the Broncos’ 24-20 win over the Falcons last Sunday.

After all, few people start on both offense and defense while also playing special teams.

He has now been officially rewarded for his efforts by winning Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors.

This is the first such award for Larsen but the third for the Broncos, as Eddie Royal has won it twice in 2008.

Larsen started at fullback and linebacker in Atlanta, and while he didn’t record any offensive stats, he did notch seven tackles on defense in his first-ever start at middle linebacker.

It’s unknown as to whether or not he’ll perform the same feat this Sunday when the Broncos face the Raiders at INVESCO Field at Mile High, but either way, his name is etched in Denver Bronco record books as the first two-way starter.

– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

Nate Jackson to IR; Mustard Re-Signed

November 20th, 2008 - 11:41am by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Head Coach Mike Shanahan has just announced that Nate Jackson will be placed on injured reserve and that the team has brought back Chad Mustard to fill his place on the roster.

Jackson injured his right hamstring during yesterday’s practice, prompting the move. He had seen action in all 10 games, catching 11 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Mustard rejoins the team after spending the 2008 offseason and training camp in Dove Valley. He was waived before the season but re-signed on October 6, prior to the team’s game against the Jaguars. He played in games against Jacksonville, New England and Miami before he was waived again on November 4.

– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

Larsen Up For Rookie of the Week

November 18th, 2008 - 10:30am by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Spencer Larsen made history Sunday as the first-ever Broncos player to start on both offense and defense, and the rest of the league noticed.

Larsen has been nominated for Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors for Week 11.

He notched seven tackles in his first start at middle linebacker, and he helped pave the way for Broncos running backs to gain 124 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns.

But it doesn’t end there — he also played on special teams.

Click here to vote for Larsen and see who else has been nominated for the award.

– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

The Broncos Have Been Flexed

November 17th, 2008 - 4:08pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

It’s a phrase that NFL team employees might use later in the season — “We’ve been flexed.”

And now everyone at Dove Valley can say it.

As part of the NFL’s flex scheduling system, the Broncos’ Week 13 contest against the New York Jets at the Meadowlands has been moved back to one of the late afternoon slots.

Instead of kickoff taking place at 1:00 p.m. EST, it will now take place at 4:15 p.m. EST.

The game will still be broadcast on CBS as originally scheduled — only the time changes.

The NFL utilizes “flexible scheduling” on Sundays in Weeks 11-17. It’s designed to ensure quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and give teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon 4:15 PM ET time slot on CBS and FOX.

So adjust your calendars Broncos Country, the orange and blue will now play at a later time with an even bigger T.V. audience.

– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

The Status of a Champ

November 14th, 2008 - 3:29pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

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.”

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Bell Back in Denver

November 11th, 2008 - 4:13pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Though it had been reported by various sources earlier in the day, the Broncos have now officially signed Tatum Bell, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

To make room for Bell on the roster, the team has waived Glenn Martinez.

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