Posts Tagged ‘Spencer Larsen’

Returning to Action

October 26th, 2009 - 3:27pm by Zach EisendrathOther posts by Zach Eisendrath

Coming off a rock-solid rookie campaign, Spencer Larsen was set on making a big splash in his second season at the pro ranks.

Against the Falcons last season, Larsen became the first Bronco in team history to start on both offense (fullback) and defense (linebacker) in the same game. Against coverage units, Larsen became a standout special teams player, finishing tied for third on the club with nine tackles. He was fast becoming known as one of the Broncos’ most versatile players.

This offseason, Larsen was determined to continue his role as a multidimensional player. Thus, he dug deep into his collection of playbooks during his spare time, while rotating between offensive, defensive and special teams meetings during OTAs, mini-camps and training camp.

Finally confident in the different concepts thrown at him, Larsen was set on applying what he learned during the offseason in the team’s regular season opener at Cincinnati. Those plans, however, were quickly derailed by a freak pregame accident. As the game was nearing kickoff, Larsen slipped and fell in the locker room, landing on his shoulder and costing him several weeks of action.

“I watched the game in the locker room by myself with ice on my shoulder for three hours,” Larsen remembers. “It was a wonderful win, but it was very hard seeing everybody come in at halftime and not being able to be a part of it.”

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Day 7: A.M. Blog

August 6th, 2009 - 1:38pm by Kyle SonnemanOther posts by Kyle Sonneman

In preparation for tonight’s practice at INVESCO Field at Mile High, the Broncos held a light workout Thursday morning. Most players wore just their jerseys and shorts while the rookies and some selected veteran wore padded pants and their jerseys.

ROLL CALL: The only players not on field this morning were Rulon Davis, Brian Dawkins and Brandon Marshall. Nic Clemons returned to the field sporting an orange jersey.

POSITIONING: With Dawkins out, David Bruton took the majority of first team reps. The rest of the offense and defense stayed pretty much the same as previous days.

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Losing a Bet…

December 11th, 2008 - 8:11pm by Ryan TorainOther posts by Ryan Torain

So the National Championship is set, and I think it might be Florida that comes out on top. I haven’t been able to watch much college football this season for obvious reasons, whether it’s preparing for games or rehabbing, but I’ve seen Florida play a couple times and they’ve got a lot of playmakers. I’ve been able to catch highlights from other games, too, and I’m just feeling like the Gators are going to come out on top.

Speaking of college football, some of you might remember that ASU played Arizona last week, and unfortunately it didn’t turn out as well as I might have hoped for the Sun Devils. Well, even more unfortunately, Spencer and I kind of made a bet. If ASU wins, Josh Barrett and I would give him some Arizona State stuff to wear. But if Arizona wins, we would have to wear some Arizona stuff.

It was actually kind of funny how it turned out. The game was on Saturday and I ran into him on Monday. I had on a red shirt and some blue shorts, didn’t even mean to, so I was already wearing Arizona colors. He said he didn’t have any gear for me to wear right then, and the week is almost over…so I think I’m getting a pass. Plus I was technically sporting Arizona anyway…

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Larsen Wins Rookie of the Week

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

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

Larsen’s Performance a Throwback

November 18th, 2008 - 10:37am by jim_saccomanoOther posts by jim_saccomano

Most Denver Broncos fans are aware by now that rookie draftee Spencer Larsen made team history against the Atlanta Falcons by starting on offense at fullback and on defense at middle linebacker, while still taking his regular snaps on special teams. Meaning he is the first player in Denver history to be on the field for the first special teams, offensive and defensive snaps of the game.

And that’s how history seems to work, more often than not — you never know who is going to be a part of it.

In Spencer’s case, it could not happen to a nicer or more well-mannered young man, and he has a real proclivity for hitting as well, so he certainly has a chance to carve out a niche in the National Football League.

The idea of playing two positions at once is not new, it just seems so in this age of complete specialization in sport.

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Larsen Up For Rookie of the Week

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

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

Stepping Up and Filling In

November 17th, 2008 - 5:47pm by Jake GrilleyOther posts by Jake Grilley

With the Broncos recent injury woes the team has had to rely on first-year players and free agent acquisitions to step in and contribute. Both the rookies and the free agents have ran with their opportunities.

A CLASS ABOVE

The members of Broncos 2008 draft class knew that they were talented — they just didn’t think the team would be utilizing their talents so soon.

Spencer Larsen for one thought he would have to cut his teeth on special teams and that eventually down the road his chance would come. But the heart and drive demonstrated by Larsen and his peers coupled with the recent wave of injuries has been enough for the Broncos coaching staff to give the rookies a shot at serious minutes. They have responded by playing key roles at various times during the season.

Brandon Stokley said the rookies have been thrown into the fire and have held up well.

“It is hard to do for a young guy coming straight out of college (to adjust to) 16 games,” he said. “Usually they are winding down right about now and we are just getting cranked up. It is hard, but that is the business that we are in so they have had to grow up quick.”

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Defense, Defense, Defense… Wow!!

November 17th, 2008 - 5:35pm by mark_cooperOther posts by mark_cooper

D…lightful

Anybody that doubts Mike Shanahan after today has to stop blogging to me or face bodily harm. :o) How about the “D”!!!!!!

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Youth Always Gives Hope

November 11th, 2008 - 10:09am by jim_saccomanoOther posts by jim_saccomano

The Denver Broncos of 2008 have been hit by injuries like few teams in recent memory.

It has been unusual, to say the least, to watch the number of players on the Broncos’ injured reserve list reach double figures.

But you have a schedule, and you have to keep playing, and every time a player goes down it gives an opportunity to another, and in this case, a younger player.

Denver’s young player’s contributions have been tremendous this year, and couple those efforts with the team’s first place standing in the AFC Western Division and you get bright promise for future seasons.

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The Hillis and Larsen Tsunami

November 10th, 2008 - 7:28pm by Jake GrilleyOther posts by Jake Grilley

Hillis and Larsen, “Thunder and Thunder”

The injury bug again bit the Broncos at the running back position on Monday with Ryan Torain being placed on injured reserve. With Torain joining Andre Hall, Michael Pittman and Anthony Alridge on IR, fullbacks Peyton Hillis and Spencer Larsen are preparing as if they could again lineup together in the Broncos backfield as they did on Thursday night.

“You can’t have thunder and lighting – we are both kind of thunder,” Larsen said about what the tandem should be called. “We would like to call it a tsunami or something like that.”

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