Lonestar
09-08-2009, 10:13 PM
By Patrick Smyth
Denver Broncos Media Relations
BRONCOS VISIT BENGALS FOR 2009 REGULAR-SEASON OPENER
Celebrating their 50th year, the Denver Broncos begin the 2009 season on Sunday in Cincinnati against the Bengals. Kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium is set for 1 p.m. EDT.
QUICKLY:
Head Coach Josh McDaniels will make his regular-season head coaching debut for Denver this week. Broncos head coaches are 8-0 all-time in their first game with the club (excludes interim coaches).
The Broncos own the second-best opening-game record (31-17-1 / .646) in NFL history and will begin the season on the road for the fifth consecutive year, extending a club record.
During the last 13 years (since 1996), Denver is an NFL-best 35-14 (.714) in the first month of the season.
OFFENSE:
The Broncos return all five starters from an offensive line that in 2008 tied for the NFL low in fewest sacks allowed (12) and led the league in sack percentage per pass play (1.9). Denver’s line features two tackles who earned All-Pro recognition last year (LT Ryan Clady-AP, RT Ryan Harris-SI) and one Pro Bowl selection (C Casey Wiegmann).
WR Eddie Royal had the second-most receptions (91) by a rookie in NFL history in 2008 en route to setting Broncos rookie records for receptions (91), receiving yards (980) and receiving touchdowns (5).
DEFENSE:
In their exhibition finale against Arizona, the Broncos recorded their seventh all-time preseason shutout (19-0) along with four takeaways (3 interceptions, 1 fumble).
CB Champ Bailey (8) and S Brian Dawkins (7) rank second and fourth, respectively, in NFL history in Pro Bowl selections at their positions.
ILB D.J. Williams leads the AFC and ranks second in the NFL in tackles per game (8.7) during the last two seasons (press box stats).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Broncos led the NFL in lowest opponent kickoff return average (17.6 yds.) in the preseason.
K Matt Prater made all seven of his field-goal attempts in the preseason and ranked fourth in the NFL with five 50-yard conversions in 2008.
P Brett Kern, who was a consensus All-Rookie pick last year, led all NFL punters with a 50.6-yard gross average in the preseason.
TELEVISION AND RADIO INFORMATION
TELEVISION: KCNC-TV (CBS 4): Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Dan Fouts (color commentary) will call the game. LOCAL RADIO: KOA RADIO (850 AM): Dave Logan (play-by-play) and Ed McCaffrey (color commentary) will call the game with Alan Roach reporting from the sidelines.LOCAL SPANISH RADIO: KBNO RADIO (1280 AM): Fernando Sergio (play-by-play) and Yuri Vasquez (color commentary) will call the game.
BRONCOS AT BENGALS — POINTS OF INTEREST
The Broncos are one of eight original American Football League teams celebrating their 50th season in 2009... Denver’s 403 overall wins are second among all original AFL teams and rank seventh among all clubs since 1960... Head Coach Josh McDaniels was named the 12th head coach in Broncos history on Jan. 12 after spending the last eight years with New England, including the previous three seasons as its offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach... He is one of seven rookie head coaches in the NFL in 2009—Last year, three rookie head coaches led their clubs to the postseason... Denver head coaches are 8-0 all-time in their first game with the club (excludes interim coaches)... The Broncos rank second in the NFL in opening-game winning percentage (.646 / 31-17-1)... Denver this year will extend its club record by opening a year on the road for the fifth consecutive year... The Broncos are 16-8 all-time against the Bengals (10-2 in previous 12 games) and last played them in 2006 (24-23 home win)... The Broncos’ 35-14 (.714) record in the first month of the year since 1996 is the best mark in the league... Denver held training camp this year at its facility (Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre) for the seventh year in a row... The Broncos selected 10 players in the 2009 NFL Draft and had two first-round selections (Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno-No. 12 and Tennessee OLB/DE Robert Ayers-No. 18) for the first time in club history... For the sixth consecutive year, the Broncos had a rookie college free agent (DL Chris Baker, Hampton) make their opening-game active roster... Brian Xanders, who this offseason became the youngest general manager in the NFL (38), led the Broncos’ personnel department in the acquisition of several key players in the offseason, including QB Kyle Orton (Trade-Chicago), S Brian Dawkins (UFA-Philadelphia), DL Ronald Fields (UFA-San Francisco), CB Andre Goodman (UFA-Miami) and S Renaldo Hill (UFA-Miami)... The Broncos’ current roster features 30 new players (52.6 percent of their roster including reserve lists)... Orton, acquired by Denver in a trade from Chicago on April 2, played his first four NFL seasons (2005-08) with the Bears and had a 21-12 (.636) record as a starter, including the league’s best home record (15-2 / .882)... In his final two preseason games, Orton completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating)... RB Correll Buckhalter, whom Denver signed as an unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia, ranks ninth in the NFL in yards per rush (4.9 / 138-682) during the last two years among players with at least 125 carries... Dawkins owns the fourth-most Pro Bowls (7) at safety in NFL history and joins CB Champ Bailey in Denver’s secondary—Bailey is tied for the second-most Pro Bowls (8) at cornerback in league annals... The Broncos’ offensive line in 2008 tied for the NFL lead in fewest sacks allowed with a franchise-record 12... LT Ryan Clady (Associated Press) and RT Ryan Harris (Sports Illustrated) received All-Pro recognition in their first year as starters while veteran C Casey Wiegmann earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2008... WR Eddie Royal in 2008 totaled the second-most receptions (91) by a rookie in NFL history... WR Brandon Marshall, who is the only player in the NFL to post at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards during the last two years, ranks second in the league in receptions (206) and third in receiving yards (2,590) since 2007... Marshall in 2009 can become the third player in NFL history to post three consecutive 100-reception seasons (Herman Moore-3, Marvin Harrison-4)... Mike Nolan was hired by Denver as its defensive coordinator in the offseason after spending the last four years as San Francisco’s head coach... In his 11 years as an NFL defensive coordinator, Nolan’s defenses have averaged 32.3 takeaways a season and posted seven top-10 NFL rankings in turnovers, including in each of his last five years as a DC... During the 2009 preseason, the Broncos ranked seventh in the league in yards per game allowed (281.8) and ninth in yards per play (4.8)... LB D.J. Williams ranks second in the NFL in tackles per game (8.7) in the last two years according to press box statistics... Denver Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer has coached units in the NFL that have totaled 14 blocked kicks and seven return touchdowns in seven seasons as a special teams coach... Denver led the NFL in lowest opponent kickoff return average (17.6 yds.) during the preseason... K Matt Prater tied a Broncos single-year record with five 50-yard field goals in 2008 and made all seven of his field-goal attempts this preseason... P Brett Kern was a consensus All-Rookie pick last season, placing fifth in the league in gross punting average (46.7 yds.), and led the NFL with a 50.6-yard gross average during this preseason.
OFF TO A FAST START
Since 1996, the Broncos own the NFL’s best record in the first month (August/September) of the regular season.
The club is 35-14 (.714) in the 49 games it has played in the first month of a season during the past 13 years. Last season, Denver posted a 3-1 record in the month of September.
COLLEGE FREE AGENT BAKER MAKES ACTIVE ROSTER
For the sixth consecutive year, a rookie college free agent made the Broncos’ active roster out of training camp for the first week of the regular season.
Defensive lineman Chris Baker, who finished his collegiate career at Hampton after a stint at Penn State, extended that streak for the Broncos in 2009. He is the 11th rookie college free agent to make Denver’s active roster out of training camp since 1997.
Baker played in all four preseason games for the Broncos, totaling six tackles (4 solo), one sack (8 yds.), two tackles for a loss and one quarterback hit.
NOTES FROM DENVER’S LAST FIVE GAMES VS. CINCINNATI
at DENVER 24, CINCINNATI 23 (Dec. 24, 2006)
With Denver’s 24-23 win against Cincinnati, the Broncos pull within one win of clinching a spot in the playoffs... The Broncos use a 99-yard drive, capped by RB Mike Bell’s 2-yard rushing touchdown, to take a 21-17 lead in the third quarter... Cincinnati cuts Denver’s lead to 24-23 with 41 seconds remaining, but a muffed extra-point attempt seals the win for Denver.
at CINCINNATI 23, DENVER 10 (Oct. 25, 2004)
The Bengals defeat Denver in the franchise's first home Monday Night Football game in 15 years… Denver RB Reuben Droughns records his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 110 yards on 24 carries (4.7 avg.).
DENVER 30, at CINCINNATI 10 (Sept. 7, 2003)
The Broncos open the 2003 season by defeating the Bengals 30-10 in Marvin Lewis’ NFL head coaching debut... Denver takes a 30-3 lead early in the fourth quarter before allowing a touchdown with three minutes left in the contest.
at CINCINNATI 31, DENVER 21 (Oct. 22, 2000)
Bengals RB Corey Dillon sets an NFL single-game record with 278 rushing yards on 22 carries (12.6 avg.), including two touchdowns... Denver posts 500 yards of total offense and records the second-most first downs (32) in a game in team history.
DENVER 33, at CINCINNATI 26 (Nov. 1, 1998)
Denver improves its franchise-best start to 8-0 with its eighth consecutive victory against the Bengals... The Broncos overcome a 12-6 halftime deficit and score the game winner with less than a minute remaining (RB Terrell Davis’ 5-yd. run).
BRONCOS/BENGALS CONNECTIONS
From Cincinnati: DEN S David Bruton (Miamisburg, Ohio)... DEN P Brett Kern: Toledo (2004-07)... DEN DL Kenny Peterson (Canton, Ohio): Ohio State (1999-2002); McKinley High School... DEN TE Richard Quinn (Maple Heights, Ohio)... DEN CB Jack Williams: Kent State (2003-07)... College Connections: DEN DC Mike Nolan/CIN RBs Coach Jim Anderson: Stanford (1982-83)... DEN QB Chris Simms/CIN RB Cedric Benson: Texas (2001-02)... OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil/CIN LB Brandon Johnson: Louisville (2002-05)... DEN RB Peyton Hillis/CIN C Jonathan Luigs: Arkansas (2005-07)... Bruton/CIN S Chinedum Ndukwe: Notre Dame (2005-06)... NFL Connections: DEN Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy: CIN Special Teams Coach Darrin Simmons (CAR 2000-02); CIN G Evan Mathis (CAR 2005-07)... Nolan: CIN LBs Coach Jeff Fitzgerald (WAS 1998-99)... DEN Secondary Coach Ed Donatell: CIN S Chris Crocker (ATL 2006); CIN Assistant DBs Coach Louie Cioffi (NYJ 1993-94)... DEN QB Kyle Orton: Benson (CHI 2005-07); CIN QB J.T. O'Sullivan (CHI 2005)... Simms: CIN T Dennis Roland (T.B. 2006-07)... DEN CB Champ Bailey: CIN Head Coach Marvin Lewis (WAS 2002)... DEN WR Brandon Stokley: Lewis (BAL 1999)... DEN CB André Goodman: Crocker (MIA 2008)... DEN S Renaldo Hill: Crocker (MIA 2008)... DEN RB Correll Buckhalter: CIN G Bobbie Williams (PHI 2001-03)... DEN T Brandon Gorin: CIN RB Brian Leonard (STL 2007-08).
Denver Broncos Media Relations
BRONCOS VISIT BENGALS FOR 2009 REGULAR-SEASON OPENER
Celebrating their 50th year, the Denver Broncos begin the 2009 season on Sunday in Cincinnati against the Bengals. Kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium is set for 1 p.m. EDT.
QUICKLY:
Head Coach Josh McDaniels will make his regular-season head coaching debut for Denver this week. Broncos head coaches are 8-0 all-time in their first game with the club (excludes interim coaches).
The Broncos own the second-best opening-game record (31-17-1 / .646) in NFL history and will begin the season on the road for the fifth consecutive year, extending a club record.
During the last 13 years (since 1996), Denver is an NFL-best 35-14 (.714) in the first month of the season.
OFFENSE:
The Broncos return all five starters from an offensive line that in 2008 tied for the NFL low in fewest sacks allowed (12) and led the league in sack percentage per pass play (1.9). Denver’s line features two tackles who earned All-Pro recognition last year (LT Ryan Clady-AP, RT Ryan Harris-SI) and one Pro Bowl selection (C Casey Wiegmann).
WR Eddie Royal had the second-most receptions (91) by a rookie in NFL history in 2008 en route to setting Broncos rookie records for receptions (91), receiving yards (980) and receiving touchdowns (5).
DEFENSE:
In their exhibition finale against Arizona, the Broncos recorded their seventh all-time preseason shutout (19-0) along with four takeaways (3 interceptions, 1 fumble).
CB Champ Bailey (8) and S Brian Dawkins (7) rank second and fourth, respectively, in NFL history in Pro Bowl selections at their positions.
ILB D.J. Williams leads the AFC and ranks second in the NFL in tackles per game (8.7) during the last two seasons (press box stats).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Broncos led the NFL in lowest opponent kickoff return average (17.6 yds.) in the preseason.
K Matt Prater made all seven of his field-goal attempts in the preseason and ranked fourth in the NFL with five 50-yard conversions in 2008.
P Brett Kern, who was a consensus All-Rookie pick last year, led all NFL punters with a 50.6-yard gross average in the preseason.
TELEVISION AND RADIO INFORMATION
TELEVISION: KCNC-TV (CBS 4): Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Dan Fouts (color commentary) will call the game. LOCAL RADIO: KOA RADIO (850 AM): Dave Logan (play-by-play) and Ed McCaffrey (color commentary) will call the game with Alan Roach reporting from the sidelines.LOCAL SPANISH RADIO: KBNO RADIO (1280 AM): Fernando Sergio (play-by-play) and Yuri Vasquez (color commentary) will call the game.
BRONCOS AT BENGALS — POINTS OF INTEREST
The Broncos are one of eight original American Football League teams celebrating their 50th season in 2009... Denver’s 403 overall wins are second among all original AFL teams and rank seventh among all clubs since 1960... Head Coach Josh McDaniels was named the 12th head coach in Broncos history on Jan. 12 after spending the last eight years with New England, including the previous three seasons as its offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach... He is one of seven rookie head coaches in the NFL in 2009—Last year, three rookie head coaches led their clubs to the postseason... Denver head coaches are 8-0 all-time in their first game with the club (excludes interim coaches)... The Broncos rank second in the NFL in opening-game winning percentage (.646 / 31-17-1)... Denver this year will extend its club record by opening a year on the road for the fifth consecutive year... The Broncos are 16-8 all-time against the Bengals (10-2 in previous 12 games) and last played them in 2006 (24-23 home win)... The Broncos’ 35-14 (.714) record in the first month of the year since 1996 is the best mark in the league... Denver held training camp this year at its facility (Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre) for the seventh year in a row... The Broncos selected 10 players in the 2009 NFL Draft and had two first-round selections (Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno-No. 12 and Tennessee OLB/DE Robert Ayers-No. 18) for the first time in club history... For the sixth consecutive year, the Broncos had a rookie college free agent (DL Chris Baker, Hampton) make their opening-game active roster... Brian Xanders, who this offseason became the youngest general manager in the NFL (38), led the Broncos’ personnel department in the acquisition of several key players in the offseason, including QB Kyle Orton (Trade-Chicago), S Brian Dawkins (UFA-Philadelphia), DL Ronald Fields (UFA-San Francisco), CB Andre Goodman (UFA-Miami) and S Renaldo Hill (UFA-Miami)... The Broncos’ current roster features 30 new players (52.6 percent of their roster including reserve lists)... Orton, acquired by Denver in a trade from Chicago on April 2, played his first four NFL seasons (2005-08) with the Bears and had a 21-12 (.636) record as a starter, including the league’s best home record (15-2 / .882)... In his final two preseason games, Orton completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating)... RB Correll Buckhalter, whom Denver signed as an unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia, ranks ninth in the NFL in yards per rush (4.9 / 138-682) during the last two years among players with at least 125 carries... Dawkins owns the fourth-most Pro Bowls (7) at safety in NFL history and joins CB Champ Bailey in Denver’s secondary—Bailey is tied for the second-most Pro Bowls (8) at cornerback in league annals... The Broncos’ offensive line in 2008 tied for the NFL lead in fewest sacks allowed with a franchise-record 12... LT Ryan Clady (Associated Press) and RT Ryan Harris (Sports Illustrated) received All-Pro recognition in their first year as starters while veteran C Casey Wiegmann earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2008... WR Eddie Royal in 2008 totaled the second-most receptions (91) by a rookie in NFL history... WR Brandon Marshall, who is the only player in the NFL to post at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards during the last two years, ranks second in the league in receptions (206) and third in receiving yards (2,590) since 2007... Marshall in 2009 can become the third player in NFL history to post three consecutive 100-reception seasons (Herman Moore-3, Marvin Harrison-4)... Mike Nolan was hired by Denver as its defensive coordinator in the offseason after spending the last four years as San Francisco’s head coach... In his 11 years as an NFL defensive coordinator, Nolan’s defenses have averaged 32.3 takeaways a season and posted seven top-10 NFL rankings in turnovers, including in each of his last five years as a DC... During the 2009 preseason, the Broncos ranked seventh in the league in yards per game allowed (281.8) and ninth in yards per play (4.8)... LB D.J. Williams ranks second in the NFL in tackles per game (8.7) in the last two years according to press box statistics... Denver Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer has coached units in the NFL that have totaled 14 blocked kicks and seven return touchdowns in seven seasons as a special teams coach... Denver led the NFL in lowest opponent kickoff return average (17.6 yds.) during the preseason... K Matt Prater tied a Broncos single-year record with five 50-yard field goals in 2008 and made all seven of his field-goal attempts this preseason... P Brett Kern was a consensus All-Rookie pick last season, placing fifth in the league in gross punting average (46.7 yds.), and led the NFL with a 50.6-yard gross average during this preseason.
OFF TO A FAST START
Since 1996, the Broncos own the NFL’s best record in the first month (August/September) of the regular season.
The club is 35-14 (.714) in the 49 games it has played in the first month of a season during the past 13 years. Last season, Denver posted a 3-1 record in the month of September.
COLLEGE FREE AGENT BAKER MAKES ACTIVE ROSTER
For the sixth consecutive year, a rookie college free agent made the Broncos’ active roster out of training camp for the first week of the regular season.
Defensive lineman Chris Baker, who finished his collegiate career at Hampton after a stint at Penn State, extended that streak for the Broncos in 2009. He is the 11th rookie college free agent to make Denver’s active roster out of training camp since 1997.
Baker played in all four preseason games for the Broncos, totaling six tackles (4 solo), one sack (8 yds.), two tackles for a loss and one quarterback hit.
NOTES FROM DENVER’S LAST FIVE GAMES VS. CINCINNATI
at DENVER 24, CINCINNATI 23 (Dec. 24, 2006)
With Denver’s 24-23 win against Cincinnati, the Broncos pull within one win of clinching a spot in the playoffs... The Broncos use a 99-yard drive, capped by RB Mike Bell’s 2-yard rushing touchdown, to take a 21-17 lead in the third quarter... Cincinnati cuts Denver’s lead to 24-23 with 41 seconds remaining, but a muffed extra-point attempt seals the win for Denver.
at CINCINNATI 23, DENVER 10 (Oct. 25, 2004)
The Bengals defeat Denver in the franchise's first home Monday Night Football game in 15 years… Denver RB Reuben Droughns records his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 110 yards on 24 carries (4.7 avg.).
DENVER 30, at CINCINNATI 10 (Sept. 7, 2003)
The Broncos open the 2003 season by defeating the Bengals 30-10 in Marvin Lewis’ NFL head coaching debut... Denver takes a 30-3 lead early in the fourth quarter before allowing a touchdown with three minutes left in the contest.
at CINCINNATI 31, DENVER 21 (Oct. 22, 2000)
Bengals RB Corey Dillon sets an NFL single-game record with 278 rushing yards on 22 carries (12.6 avg.), including two touchdowns... Denver posts 500 yards of total offense and records the second-most first downs (32) in a game in team history.
DENVER 33, at CINCINNATI 26 (Nov. 1, 1998)
Denver improves its franchise-best start to 8-0 with its eighth consecutive victory against the Bengals... The Broncos overcome a 12-6 halftime deficit and score the game winner with less than a minute remaining (RB Terrell Davis’ 5-yd. run).
BRONCOS/BENGALS CONNECTIONS
From Cincinnati: DEN S David Bruton (Miamisburg, Ohio)... DEN P Brett Kern: Toledo (2004-07)... DEN DL Kenny Peterson (Canton, Ohio): Ohio State (1999-2002); McKinley High School... DEN TE Richard Quinn (Maple Heights, Ohio)... DEN CB Jack Williams: Kent State (2003-07)... College Connections: DEN DC Mike Nolan/CIN RBs Coach Jim Anderson: Stanford (1982-83)... DEN QB Chris Simms/CIN RB Cedric Benson: Texas (2001-02)... OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil/CIN LB Brandon Johnson: Louisville (2002-05)... DEN RB Peyton Hillis/CIN C Jonathan Luigs: Arkansas (2005-07)... Bruton/CIN S Chinedum Ndukwe: Notre Dame (2005-06)... NFL Connections: DEN Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy: CIN Special Teams Coach Darrin Simmons (CAR 2000-02); CIN G Evan Mathis (CAR 2005-07)... Nolan: CIN LBs Coach Jeff Fitzgerald (WAS 1998-99)... DEN Secondary Coach Ed Donatell: CIN S Chris Crocker (ATL 2006); CIN Assistant DBs Coach Louie Cioffi (NYJ 1993-94)... DEN QB Kyle Orton: Benson (CHI 2005-07); CIN QB J.T. O'Sullivan (CHI 2005)... Simms: CIN T Dennis Roland (T.B. 2006-07)... DEN CB Champ Bailey: CIN Head Coach Marvin Lewis (WAS 2002)... DEN WR Brandon Stokley: Lewis (BAL 1999)... DEN CB André Goodman: Crocker (MIA 2008)... DEN S Renaldo Hill: Crocker (MIA 2008)... DEN RB Correll Buckhalter: CIN G Bobbie Williams (PHI 2001-03)... DEN T Brandon Gorin: CIN RB Brian Leonard (STL 2007-08).