Denver Native (Carol)
09-11-2010, 08:42 PM
http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/No-1-Priority/e3b75314-24db-4dde-9509-87498dbc1c3c
he Broncos head to Jacksonville for Sunday's regular season opener knowing their rush defense will be challenged by Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars. Robert Ayers called run defense the Broncos' 'No. 1 priority' entering the game.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos 2010 regular season schedule had not yet been released when the team added free agents Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams as part of a movement to overhaul their defensive line with proven veterans.
When the NFL did unveil the slate of Week 1 games a few weeks later, Bannan decided a matchup against Jacksonville presented him and his new defensive teammates a welcome challenge. With a chance to shut down the Jaguars and a rushing attack led by 2009 Pro Bowler Maurice Jones-Drew, the Broncos will get an opportunity to showcase their new-look unit right away.
When Denver travels to Jacksonville's EverBank Field for their season opener tomorrow, Bannan, Williams and the rest of the Broncos defensive players know they'll get a good gauge on how much progress they've made this offseason.
"It's probably the biggest test that we're going to have, and it's just fitting that it happens in the first game," Bannan said. "There's been all kinds of talk how we've upgraded and done all these moves and made all these things happen -- now it's a matter of going out and proving it and letting everybody know that we were brought in here for a reason."
It's no secret Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio designed his team with running in mind. In five of his seven seasons, Jacksonville has ranked among the league's top 10 rushing teams. On Tuesday, Head Coach Josh McDaniels described the Jaguars as "physical" and "disciplined."
The biggest piece in that attack is Jones-Drew, who finished the 2009 season with 1,391 yards on 312 carries with 15 touchdowns. The running back averaged 19.5 carries per game en route to the third-best single-season rushing total in team history.
"We just have to get mentally prepared and tackle this guy," Mario Haggan said of the plan to slow the prolific back. "He's been a great runner. They get the ball to him a lot, and he's a guy that we definitely have to know where he is on every play."
Although Jones-Drew played just two preseason games, finishing with only six carries, he said in a Wednesday conference call that he's feeling fine and ready for the rigors of a new season.
McDaniels said the Broncos are expecting a healthy dose of the UCLA product come Sunday. After analyzing the tape of the Jaguars' season-opener a year ago, McDaniels expects the team to follow a similar game plan.
Jones-Drew finished last season's opener with 21 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown and added five catches for 26 yards in a 14-12 loss to eventual-AFC Champion Indianapolis. The Broncos coach said he wouldn't be surprised to see Jones-Drew touch the ball at least 30 times on Sunday.
"Every time he touches the ball I'm going to be concerned," McDaniels said. "He's a threat, no matter what he's doing really. If it's a screen (pass), he's a threat when he gets the ball in his hands there. When they release him out of the backfield and then you've got to cover him, that's a problem."
And Jones-Drew made it clear he's very aware of the problems the Broncos defense will provide on Sunday. He lauded the unit, particularly emphasizing the team's defensive line anchored by Bannan, Williams and Ryan McBean, who have a combined 25 seasons of NFL experience.
"Those guys are playing well so it's going to be a tough game for us to run the ball," Jones-Drew said. "We're trying to figure out a way to get into some space and create some lanes for us, but it's very tough."
Even though Robert Ayers called stopping the run the Broncos' "No. 1 priority," the team is well aware of Jacksonville's other offensive weapons. The Jaguars also return Pro Bowl quarterback David Garrard and up-and-coming wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, who McDaniels called "a tough matchup for anybody."
Ayers said the key to slowing the team that had the league's 18th-best total offense a year ago is as simple as looking at down and distance.
"If we can get them into third-and-10, third-and-8, things like that -- that's where they're not as good," Ayers said. "When they get third-and-2, third-and-1, that's when it's tough because they can pound it."
Pounding the run game has long been a staple of Jaguars' football, and the Broncos are eager for the matchup. McDaniels prides his team on being physical as well.
In the sweltering Jacksonville heat on Sunday afternoon, the Broncos are prepared to get the home team's best shot, and that means seeing Jones-Drew early and often.
As they kick off their 51st season of football, the Broncos wouldn't have it any other way.
"It will be a great challenge for us, we're looking forward to it and I know he's looking forward to it, too," McDaniels said. "He's a great player and he'll be a great battle on Sunday."
he Broncos head to Jacksonville for Sunday's regular season opener knowing their rush defense will be challenged by Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars. Robert Ayers called run defense the Broncos' 'No. 1 priority' entering the game.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos 2010 regular season schedule had not yet been released when the team added free agents Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams as part of a movement to overhaul their defensive line with proven veterans.
When the NFL did unveil the slate of Week 1 games a few weeks later, Bannan decided a matchup against Jacksonville presented him and his new defensive teammates a welcome challenge. With a chance to shut down the Jaguars and a rushing attack led by 2009 Pro Bowler Maurice Jones-Drew, the Broncos will get an opportunity to showcase their new-look unit right away.
When Denver travels to Jacksonville's EverBank Field for their season opener tomorrow, Bannan, Williams and the rest of the Broncos defensive players know they'll get a good gauge on how much progress they've made this offseason.
"It's probably the biggest test that we're going to have, and it's just fitting that it happens in the first game," Bannan said. "There's been all kinds of talk how we've upgraded and done all these moves and made all these things happen -- now it's a matter of going out and proving it and letting everybody know that we were brought in here for a reason."
It's no secret Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio designed his team with running in mind. In five of his seven seasons, Jacksonville has ranked among the league's top 10 rushing teams. On Tuesday, Head Coach Josh McDaniels described the Jaguars as "physical" and "disciplined."
The biggest piece in that attack is Jones-Drew, who finished the 2009 season with 1,391 yards on 312 carries with 15 touchdowns. The running back averaged 19.5 carries per game en route to the third-best single-season rushing total in team history.
"We just have to get mentally prepared and tackle this guy," Mario Haggan said of the plan to slow the prolific back. "He's been a great runner. They get the ball to him a lot, and he's a guy that we definitely have to know where he is on every play."
Although Jones-Drew played just two preseason games, finishing with only six carries, he said in a Wednesday conference call that he's feeling fine and ready for the rigors of a new season.
McDaniels said the Broncos are expecting a healthy dose of the UCLA product come Sunday. After analyzing the tape of the Jaguars' season-opener a year ago, McDaniels expects the team to follow a similar game plan.
Jones-Drew finished last season's opener with 21 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown and added five catches for 26 yards in a 14-12 loss to eventual-AFC Champion Indianapolis. The Broncos coach said he wouldn't be surprised to see Jones-Drew touch the ball at least 30 times on Sunday.
"Every time he touches the ball I'm going to be concerned," McDaniels said. "He's a threat, no matter what he's doing really. If it's a screen (pass), he's a threat when he gets the ball in his hands there. When they release him out of the backfield and then you've got to cover him, that's a problem."
And Jones-Drew made it clear he's very aware of the problems the Broncos defense will provide on Sunday. He lauded the unit, particularly emphasizing the team's defensive line anchored by Bannan, Williams and Ryan McBean, who have a combined 25 seasons of NFL experience.
"Those guys are playing well so it's going to be a tough game for us to run the ball," Jones-Drew said. "We're trying to figure out a way to get into some space and create some lanes for us, but it's very tough."
Even though Robert Ayers called stopping the run the Broncos' "No. 1 priority," the team is well aware of Jacksonville's other offensive weapons. The Jaguars also return Pro Bowl quarterback David Garrard and up-and-coming wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, who McDaniels called "a tough matchup for anybody."
Ayers said the key to slowing the team that had the league's 18th-best total offense a year ago is as simple as looking at down and distance.
"If we can get them into third-and-10, third-and-8, things like that -- that's where they're not as good," Ayers said. "When they get third-and-2, third-and-1, that's when it's tough because they can pound it."
Pounding the run game has long been a staple of Jaguars' football, and the Broncos are eager for the matchup. McDaniels prides his team on being physical as well.
In the sweltering Jacksonville heat on Sunday afternoon, the Broncos are prepared to get the home team's best shot, and that means seeing Jones-Drew early and often.
As they kick off their 51st season of football, the Broncos wouldn't have it any other way.
"It will be a great challenge for us, we're looking forward to it and I know he's looking forward to it, too," McDaniels said. "He's a great player and he'll be a great battle on Sunday."