banner
« Older Entries

Posts Tagged ‘Chris Kuper’

O-Line Named Most Valuable Protectors

October 31st, 2012 - 1:46pm by Tyler EverettOther posts by

Tackles Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, guards Chris Kuper and Zane Beadles and center Dan Koppen, the Broncos’ starters on the offensive line, play an important role every week, but one that doesn’t often draw much attention or recognition.

But the Broncos’ unsung men in the trenches received a bit of spotlight with Wednesday’s announcement that the group took home Week 8′s Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, which honors the league’s top offensive line.

Winning this week’s award also makes the unit eligible to win the annual honor, which will be revealed during this year’s Super Bowl. The award “serves to celebrate the loyal teammates in the trenches that most consistently provide the time and protection that is critical to their teammates’ and overall team’s success.”

Sunday night against the Saints, the group was every bit as valuable in the ground game as in the passing game, helping the Broncos rush for a season-high 225 yards in addition to 305 yards through the air by quarterback Peyton Manning. The success on the ground featured season-bests for Willis McGahee and Ronnie Hillman, who rushed for 122 and 86 yards, respectively.

In addition to the recognition for the line as a whole, Clady earned Sports Illustrated’s Peter King’s Offensive Lineman of the Week award.

A big part of Manning’s success through the air was his ability to get comfortable in the pocket, as Manning was not sacked once in 30 pass attempts.

“The Broncos offensive line provided consistent protection for Peyton the entire night,” John Madden said in a statement.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 7 Comments »

Full Participation for Entire Roster

October 4th, 2012 - 2:08pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On Wednesday, the entire 53-man roster participated in practice.

Today, the news got even better for the Broncos, as every player on the roster was listed with full participation in Thursday’s session.

That includes guard Chris Kuper and linebacker Nate Irving, who were both limited on Wednesday.

It marks Kuper’s first full practice since fracturing his forearm in training camp on Aug. 14. Thursday was Irving’s first full practice since suffering a concussion in Week 3 against the Houston Texans.

Fox said Kuper’s status for Sunday’s game in New England is still up in the air, but if he were able to play, “it would be great.”

“He’s been through a lot with the ankle in the offseason and forearm in the preseason,” Fox said of the team captain. “At the end of the day, he’d much rather be out here than in the training room, so I’m sure he’s excited about it.”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 8 Comments »

Kuper Returns to Practice

September 26th, 2012 - 11:48am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On Monday, Head Coach John Fox said the team would take a “look-see” at guard Chris Kuper this week in practice.

It appears the look-see got started on Wednesday, as the team captain was on the field in full pads with the rest of the club for the start of practice.

Kuper hasn’t participated in practice since fracturing his forearm in training camp on Aug. 14.

On this week’s Elway Access, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway hinted that Wednesday’s revelation could be coming.

“He’ll be practicing and get back into the swing of things this week, so we’ll see how the week goes,” Elway said of the seventh-year veteran, who has 73 career starts. “Any time you have a guy that’s a team leader like ‘Kup’ is, it’ll be nice to have him back out there in pads and back involved.”

Kuper led the breakdown of the team’s huddle to start Wednesday’s practice, drawing cheers from his teammates.

In addition, three players listed by Head Coach John Fox on the postgame Week 3 injury report were back on the practice field — running back Willis McGahee, cornerback Tracy Porter and tight end Jacob Tamme.

The two other players on the injury report after the Houston game — wide receiver Matthew Willis and linebacker Nate Irving — were on the field for stretch period, but were not wearing pads.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 23 Comments »

Texans Week: Wednesday Injury Report

September 19th, 2012 - 4:07pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

For the Broncos, cornerback Chris Harris (ankle) and guard Chris Kuper (forearm) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

Safety Quinton Carter (knee) and linebacker Von Miller (hip) were limited.

Tight end Joel Dreessen (ribs) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley (shoulder) had full participation.

For the Texans, inside linebacker Tim Dobbins (hamstring) did not participate. Three players — outside linebackers Bryan Braman (hamstring) and Brooks Reed (hip) along with defensive end Antonio Smith (ankle) — were limited.

Outside linebacker Connor Barwin (elbow), guard Antoine Caldwell (ankle), inside linebacker Brian Cushing (ribs), cornerback Brice McCain (knee), center Chris Myers (neck) and outside linebacker Jesse Nading (knee) had full participation.

The Broncos’ injury report can be found leading up to each week on DenverBroncos.com.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 1 Comment »

Fox on First Road Trip

September 15th, 2012 - 1:56pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Head Coach John Fox is plenty familiar with the Atlanta Falcons. After all, he played them twice a year as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers from 2002 to 2010.

“It’s a unique place,” he said of the Georgia Dome. “A divisional rivalry for me for nine years. I’ve seen them change as far as quarterbacks and types of offenses over the years. It’s nice to get back. It’s a good organization. Nice people in the organization. It’ll be good visiting.”

As for the game at hand, Fox said that every week is a tough game, but Monday is the first chance the Broncos have to show what they can do away from the friendly confines of Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

“It’s our first road trip of 2012,” he said, “so I’m anxious to see how we react.”

INJURY REPORT

For the Broncos, only guard Chris Kuper is listed as out for the game. Cornerback Chris Harris and guard/center Philip Blake are listed as questionable, while wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and guard Manny Ramirez are both probable.

Click to continue reading “Fox on First Road Trip”

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 4 Comments »

Falcons Week: Friday Injury Report

September 14th, 2012 - 2:02pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On Friday, guard Chris Kuper (forearm) and cornerback Chris Harris (ankle) did not participate in practice for the second consecutive day. Guard Manny Ramirez (elbow) and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (shoulder) are listed on the injury report, but had full participation in the session for the second consecutive day.

As for Harris, Head Coach John Fox said: “Right now, he’s day-to-day. It’ll, I’m sure, be a game-time decision.”

If Harris can’t play, Fox expressed confidence in the rest of the position group.

“We’ve got good depth at the position,” he said. “Rather than spell out what we might do, we feel good about who we’d have out there.”

For the Atlanta Falcons, a new player was added to the injury report in tackle Tyson Clabo (hip), who was limited in practice on Friday. Linebacker Robert James (knee), linebacker Sean Weathersppon (hamstring) and wide receiver Roddy White (groin) were all limited in practice for the second consecutive day.

The Broncos’ injury report is available each week on DenverBroncos.com.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 12 Comments »

Broncos Announce Captains for 2012 Season

September 5th, 2012 - 8:34am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Five Broncos have been chosen by their teammates to serve as captains for the 2012 season.

On offense, quarterback Peyton Manning and guard Chris Kuper received the honor. The defensive captains will be cornerback Champ Bailey and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Wesley Woodyard rounds out the group as special teams captain.

Since Kuper is still recovering from a fractured forearm, running back Willis McGahee will serve as an interim team captain until Kuper returns to the field.

For Manning, this marks the 11th consecutive season that he will serve as a team captain. Kuper, the most veteran player on the offensive line, will enter his 3rd season as a Broncos captain.

Bailey, who has been a team captain for the past five seasons, is the longest tenured player on the roster as he enters his ninth season in Denver. Dumervil represents the only first-year team captain among the group.

Click to continue reading “Broncos Announce Captains for 2012 Season”

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 37 Comments »

Kuper to Miss 4-6 Weeks

August 14th, 2012 - 2:30pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

During Tuesday’s morning practice, guard Chris Kuper suffered a left forearm fracture. He is expected to fully recover within four to six weeks.

Kuper was in the process of returning to the lineup after recovering from an injury suffered in Week 17 of the 2011 season. As he worked his way back to the first unit, he often split reps at right guard with Manny Ramirez, a sixth-year lineman who has started 15 of his 20 NFL games played.

If Kuper returns in four weeks, he would presumably be part of the team’s preparation for its Week 2, Monday Night Football matchup in Atlanta. Six weeks from today is Sept. 25, leading up to the Broncos’ Week 4 home game against the Oakland Raiders.

Kuper was one of three players who left Tuesday’s practice early, along with running back Ronnie Hillman (hamstring) and defensive end Jason Hunter (triceps).

In addition, safety Jim Leonhard (knee), safety Quinton Carter (hamstring and knee), linebacker Keith Brooking (hamstring), cornerback Tracy Porter (illness), linebacker Danny Trevathan (ankle) and wide receiver Tyler Grisham (knee) did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Defensive tackle Ty Warren was excused for “a family situation.”

“You’re concerned about all of them — you’d like them out there because this is how we get better,” Fox said of the injured players before the severity of Kuper’s injury was announced. “But we take a next-man-up approach, and it gives the guys behind them an opportunity.”

Tags: ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 136 Comments »

Notebook: Kuper, Miller Earn Distinction

January 4th, 2012 - 2:57pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

The Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin has released his yearly All-Pro team, including yearly awards, and two Broncos made the list.

Chris Kuper, recently placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken leg against the Kansas City Chiefs, is one of the guards on the All-Pro team.

“Best blocker in NFL’s best rushing attack,” Gosselin wrote.

The second Bronco on the list is Von Miller, though not as an All-Pro. Gosselin believes Miller is the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

“Collected 10 1/2 sacks in his first 11 games before breaking his thumb,” Gosselin wrote. “He played with a cast the rest of the way and only managed one more sack — still a respectable 11 1/2 for the AFC West champions.”

Click to continue reading “Notebook: Kuper, Miller Earn Distinction”

Tags: , ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 17 Comments »

Kuper to IR; Harris Signed

January 2nd, 2012 - 4:29pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On Monday, the Broncos placed guard Chris Kuper on injured reserve, as the team captain broke his leg in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his roster spot, the team signed a familiar face — offensive lineman Ryan Harris, who played in 46 games for the Broncos from 2007 to 2010.

The fifth-year player earned All-Pro honors from Sports Illustrated (Peter King) in 2008.

He started 10 games for the Broncos last season, but hasn’t played in 2011 after suffering an injury during training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.

In addition, the Broncos signed defensive tackle Jeremy Jarmon, defensive end Cyril Obiozor and cornerback Ramzee Robinson to future contracts.

Tags: ,
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 74 Comments »

« Older Entries