TXBRONC
11-20-2007, 08:09 AM
Here's the lastest from TSN. It looking like we'll get Javon Walker back by week 12.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=306862
Broncos Team Report
Posted: November 18, 2007
Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: When the season started, Denver put a premium on hulking defensive tackles and bigger ends to lock-and-hold off blockers in coordinator Jim Bates' scheme. Those days are over. DT Sam Adams is the only remaining player in the regular rotation who weighs more than 300 pounds, and half of the Broncos' 10 linemen weight 260 pounds or less. The team has made a flurry of moves up front, including the recent release of defensive linemen Simeon Rice, Antwon Burton and Amon Gordon, all of whom had been contributors. Bates now has rookie defensive end Tim Crowder playing inside, and newcomer Josh Mallard is another swing player who is logging extensive snaps at tackle. The result of the moves has been a quicker unit, but the line must prove it can hunker down against the run over the long haul. The Broncos have helped counterbalance their light front by playing a safety near the line of scrimmage on obvious run downs. . . .
The Broncos' special teams units have made significant strides in the past month. One key reason is the entire group finally understands the philosophy espoused by special teams coordinator Scott O'Brien. A couple of personnel tweaks have also added an element of controlled aggressiveness that has lifted the group's play. LB Jordan Beck has proved to be a huge addition to the coverage units. He has a knack for finding the ball and is a sure tackler. Rookie RB Andre Hall has brought speed to the coverage units and, as the deep man on kick returns, shows a lack of hesitation that's refreshing. He has consistently been getting returns out near the 30, something virtually unheard of for Denver earlier this season. . . .
Denver should get WR Javon Walker back for its Week 12 game against the Bears. Walker had arthroscopic surgery to clean out his knee and did some light drills at practices heading into the Week 11 game against the Titans, but the matchup against Chicago has always been his real target return date. Walker is running free and easy without the pain and stiffness that resulted from a training camp injury.
SCOUTING REPORT: TE Daniel Graham has lived up to his reputation as a mauler in the running game. While some Broncos tight ends, both present and past, have mainly used body positioning and angles to open creases, Graham takes that approach to another level. He is very strong and gets angry at himself when he doesn't completely blow his opponent out of the play. Graham has some downfield skills as a receiver, although doesn't have the consistent hands of fellow TE Tony Scheffler, who serves in a split-end type role. As a receiver, Graham is often his own worst enemy: He's so valuable on the line of scrimmage that he's frequently called upon in blitz pickup or to give double-team help against the league's toughest defensive ends.
UNDER THE RADAR: The Broncos had intended to use Brandon Stokley in the 'slot machine' role he played with the Colts, but Walker's knee injury changed those plans. Stokley was thrust into the starting lineup and has been a vital cog in the offense, particularly as a third-and-long target. Stokley doesn't have the big overall numbers of Brandon Marshall, who has ascended to the No. 1 receiver job in Walker's absence, nor is Stokley a huge threat after the catch. But he is a precise route runner who knows precisely where to cut off his pattern in order to move the chains. He excels at setting up defensive backs with head fakes and well-executed shoves. Also, Stokley has sticky hands; he rarely drops the ball.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=306862
Broncos Team Report
Posted: November 18, 2007
Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: When the season started, Denver put a premium on hulking defensive tackles and bigger ends to lock-and-hold off blockers in coordinator Jim Bates' scheme. Those days are over. DT Sam Adams is the only remaining player in the regular rotation who weighs more than 300 pounds, and half of the Broncos' 10 linemen weight 260 pounds or less. The team has made a flurry of moves up front, including the recent release of defensive linemen Simeon Rice, Antwon Burton and Amon Gordon, all of whom had been contributors. Bates now has rookie defensive end Tim Crowder playing inside, and newcomer Josh Mallard is another swing player who is logging extensive snaps at tackle. The result of the moves has been a quicker unit, but the line must prove it can hunker down against the run over the long haul. The Broncos have helped counterbalance their light front by playing a safety near the line of scrimmage on obvious run downs. . . .
The Broncos' special teams units have made significant strides in the past month. One key reason is the entire group finally understands the philosophy espoused by special teams coordinator Scott O'Brien. A couple of personnel tweaks have also added an element of controlled aggressiveness that has lifted the group's play. LB Jordan Beck has proved to be a huge addition to the coverage units. He has a knack for finding the ball and is a sure tackler. Rookie RB Andre Hall has brought speed to the coverage units and, as the deep man on kick returns, shows a lack of hesitation that's refreshing. He has consistently been getting returns out near the 30, something virtually unheard of for Denver earlier this season. . . .
Denver should get WR Javon Walker back for its Week 12 game against the Bears. Walker had arthroscopic surgery to clean out his knee and did some light drills at practices heading into the Week 11 game against the Titans, but the matchup against Chicago has always been his real target return date. Walker is running free and easy without the pain and stiffness that resulted from a training camp injury.
SCOUTING REPORT: TE Daniel Graham has lived up to his reputation as a mauler in the running game. While some Broncos tight ends, both present and past, have mainly used body positioning and angles to open creases, Graham takes that approach to another level. He is very strong and gets angry at himself when he doesn't completely blow his opponent out of the play. Graham has some downfield skills as a receiver, although doesn't have the consistent hands of fellow TE Tony Scheffler, who serves in a split-end type role. As a receiver, Graham is often his own worst enemy: He's so valuable on the line of scrimmage that he's frequently called upon in blitz pickup or to give double-team help against the league's toughest defensive ends.
UNDER THE RADAR: The Broncos had intended to use Brandon Stokley in the 'slot machine' role he played with the Colts, but Walker's knee injury changed those plans. Stokley was thrust into the starting lineup and has been a vital cog in the offense, particularly as a third-and-long target. Stokley doesn't have the big overall numbers of Brandon Marshall, who has ascended to the No. 1 receiver job in Walker's absence, nor is Stokley a huge threat after the catch. But he is a precise route runner who knows precisely where to cut off his pattern in order to move the chains. He excels at setting up defensive backs with head fakes and well-executed shoves. Also, Stokley has sticky hands; he rarely drops the ball.