TXBRONC
12-01-2007, 01:25 AM
Lot's of interesting stuff in here. Stokley thinks he'll be good to go Sunday and there was another thread that said something to the effect that Javon's availability is in question this one says something completely different. So I wonder what's going on. :confused:
Also it's looking like JaMarcus Russell might be making his first start on Sunday.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/30/broncos-report/
Broncos report
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Off the mark
Champ Bailey knows the drill by now.
He usually will get an early pass thrown his direction followed by a lull and a late-game challenge.
And while last season, the Broncos' seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback turned those rare opportunities into game-changing plays, things have gone differently so far. Through 11 games, he has only two interceptions and 12 pass break-ups compared with five and 20 at this point in 2006, when he was runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"Last year, I made more plays, so people were more afraid to come at me. This year, it's harder getting those plays because they're real careful about how they throw the ball at me. Everything's underneath," Bailey said. "There's not many deep balls. I got a lot of deep-ball picks last year, balls that kind of sailed and this and that."
Bailey was victimized Sunday on Bernard Berrian's tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter when he slipped in the end zone off a double move. It continued a recent trend of team's looking his way a little more frequently and fearlessly.
Green Bay got the ball over Bailey's head on a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Jones on Oct. 29. And the cornerback benefited from a bad drop by Tennessee's Brandon Jones on another long heave on the Titans' opening series Nov. 19.
Bailey maintained he's fine with his season to date, explaining that while statistically his numbers are down "as far as my play, I'm doing OK."
Bailey remains a force against the run and as a team captain. And there's no question he still influences games by his mere presence in the defensive backfield.
"I wish I could have gotten more (interceptions), but at the same time, you can't just force anything, either," said Bailey, who entered the season with 18 interceptions the past two seasons. "I'll just take what comes at me, keep playing great technique and things will fall into place."
Fitting in
Quarterback Jay Cutler remarked earlier this week he felt receiver Javon Walker should be "a little more of a factor" in the offense this week and beyond after Walker's brief appearance in Chicago.
Walker responded he has "no problem with" whatever is asked of him but coming off right knee surgery, he still is trying to get back to the point where he consistently can contribute physically and teamwise.
"While I've been out eight weeks, the receivers have been playing great ball, so you can't take them out of their rhythm," Walker said.
"You've got to let them keep on going. And I'm going to gradually play my role, and when it's time for something to happen, let something happen."
Walker added he doesn't believe his knee will be fully healed until the offseason, despite his lengthy absence.
Eb and flow
It's easy to become an invisible man on injured reserve. But defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban still is around, rehabilitating the torn right Achilles' tendon he suffered in August. And he's planning on coming back strong for the first on-field preparations for 2008.
"I'm on pace. And I'm optimistic that definitely by, even minicamps, I should be ready to go," Ekuban said.
The nine-year pro got the boot on his right foot removed about a month ago. He has been riding a stationary bicycle, walking the treadmill and doing elliptical work.
In hindsight, Ekuban said he's fortunate the injury occurred when it did so it won't affect his status heading into another season.
"When I did it, I was cautiously optimistic that, 'Hey, I'll come back,' " the 31-year old lineman said. "But now I'm overwhelmingly optimistic that I'll come back, seeing the likes of Greg Ellis come back with the Cowboys and (Jacksonville's) Reggie Hayward come back from it. My mentality has definitely changed, watching those guys produce and do well."
And it was all yellow
The Broncos have matched their 2006 season for penalties and are 33 yards short of their total mark-off, as well. But more striking is the Broncos are in danger of having more flags than an opponent during a season for the fourth time under coach Mike Shanahan:
Year Den. pen/yds Opp pen/yds
2007* 67-445 59-487
2002 104-877 99-829
1998 115-1,023 113-865
1995 109-851 103-848
*Through 11 games
Injury report
* Brandon Stokley returned to practice after missing Wednesday's workout with a sore right knee and said he's "confident" of his availability Sunday against the Raiders. The receiver might have bumped knees or gotten kicked in the leg late in Sunday's game in Chicago, resulting in a bruise.
"I felt good out there," he said after practice. "Everything should be good to go."
* Overall, the Broncos listed 11 players on the injured list but all but one - running back Andre Hall (ankle) - was a full practice participant.
* The Raiders added starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper to the injury report with a quadriceps problem that forced him out of a portion of practice. It might open the door for JaMarcus Russell, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick, to make his debut. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has said he wants Russell to play in sub packages before taking over as the eventual starter.
He said it
"People are doing their jobs. Don't buy into all these changes. We haven't changed anything because you don't implement something in your package midseason. You have it in your package. We're running the same plays. Nothing has changed on the defensive line, except for a couple people."
Sam Adams, Broncos defensive tackle, on a perceived switch in approach from gap-plugging to more attack-oriented on the front four as the season has progressed.
Also it's looking like JaMarcus Russell might be making his first start on Sunday.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/30/broncos-report/
Broncos report
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Off the mark
Champ Bailey knows the drill by now.
He usually will get an early pass thrown his direction followed by a lull and a late-game challenge.
And while last season, the Broncos' seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback turned those rare opportunities into game-changing plays, things have gone differently so far. Through 11 games, he has only two interceptions and 12 pass break-ups compared with five and 20 at this point in 2006, when he was runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"Last year, I made more plays, so people were more afraid to come at me. This year, it's harder getting those plays because they're real careful about how they throw the ball at me. Everything's underneath," Bailey said. "There's not many deep balls. I got a lot of deep-ball picks last year, balls that kind of sailed and this and that."
Bailey was victimized Sunday on Bernard Berrian's tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter when he slipped in the end zone off a double move. It continued a recent trend of team's looking his way a little more frequently and fearlessly.
Green Bay got the ball over Bailey's head on a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Jones on Oct. 29. And the cornerback benefited from a bad drop by Tennessee's Brandon Jones on another long heave on the Titans' opening series Nov. 19.
Bailey maintained he's fine with his season to date, explaining that while statistically his numbers are down "as far as my play, I'm doing OK."
Bailey remains a force against the run and as a team captain. And there's no question he still influences games by his mere presence in the defensive backfield.
"I wish I could have gotten more (interceptions), but at the same time, you can't just force anything, either," said Bailey, who entered the season with 18 interceptions the past two seasons. "I'll just take what comes at me, keep playing great technique and things will fall into place."
Fitting in
Quarterback Jay Cutler remarked earlier this week he felt receiver Javon Walker should be "a little more of a factor" in the offense this week and beyond after Walker's brief appearance in Chicago.
Walker responded he has "no problem with" whatever is asked of him but coming off right knee surgery, he still is trying to get back to the point where he consistently can contribute physically and teamwise.
"While I've been out eight weeks, the receivers have been playing great ball, so you can't take them out of their rhythm," Walker said.
"You've got to let them keep on going. And I'm going to gradually play my role, and when it's time for something to happen, let something happen."
Walker added he doesn't believe his knee will be fully healed until the offseason, despite his lengthy absence.
Eb and flow
It's easy to become an invisible man on injured reserve. But defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban still is around, rehabilitating the torn right Achilles' tendon he suffered in August. And he's planning on coming back strong for the first on-field preparations for 2008.
"I'm on pace. And I'm optimistic that definitely by, even minicamps, I should be ready to go," Ekuban said.
The nine-year pro got the boot on his right foot removed about a month ago. He has been riding a stationary bicycle, walking the treadmill and doing elliptical work.
In hindsight, Ekuban said he's fortunate the injury occurred when it did so it won't affect his status heading into another season.
"When I did it, I was cautiously optimistic that, 'Hey, I'll come back,' " the 31-year old lineman said. "But now I'm overwhelmingly optimistic that I'll come back, seeing the likes of Greg Ellis come back with the Cowboys and (Jacksonville's) Reggie Hayward come back from it. My mentality has definitely changed, watching those guys produce and do well."
And it was all yellow
The Broncos have matched their 2006 season for penalties and are 33 yards short of their total mark-off, as well. But more striking is the Broncos are in danger of having more flags than an opponent during a season for the fourth time under coach Mike Shanahan:
Year Den. pen/yds Opp pen/yds
2007* 67-445 59-487
2002 104-877 99-829
1998 115-1,023 113-865
1995 109-851 103-848
*Through 11 games
Injury report
* Brandon Stokley returned to practice after missing Wednesday's workout with a sore right knee and said he's "confident" of his availability Sunday against the Raiders. The receiver might have bumped knees or gotten kicked in the leg late in Sunday's game in Chicago, resulting in a bruise.
"I felt good out there," he said after practice. "Everything should be good to go."
* Overall, the Broncos listed 11 players on the injured list but all but one - running back Andre Hall (ankle) - was a full practice participant.
* The Raiders added starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper to the injury report with a quadriceps problem that forced him out of a portion of practice. It might open the door for JaMarcus Russell, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick, to make his debut. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has said he wants Russell to play in sub packages before taking over as the eventual starter.
He said it
"People are doing their jobs. Don't buy into all these changes. We haven't changed anything because you don't implement something in your package midseason. You have it in your package. We're running the same plays. Nothing has changed on the defensive line, except for a couple people."
Sam Adams, Broncos defensive tackle, on a perceived switch in approach from gap-plugging to more attack-oriented on the front four as the season has progressed.