Denver Native (Carol)
09-30-2009, 08:03 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13449034
The way Ed Donatell figures it, all he has to do to get his point across is point at some of the players in front of him.
Point to the likes of Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman.
"I go in every day and say, 'Listen, this isn't around the league like this, you don't have this kind of role models, this is a tremendous advantage to you and you can springboard your career if you steal information from these guys,' " said Donatell, the Broncos' defensive backs coach. "You can tell guys, but to actually see it, you see the toughness of Dawkins, the preparation of Renaldo Hill, the professionalism and the technique you see from the corners outside.
"They're all visual examples, and that's the best way to teach."
Donatell's group has yet to surrender a touchdown pass this season, has given up only five pass plays of 20 yards and only one more than 30 yards in three games.
And the Broncos have mixed in rookie Alphonso Smith in the nickel package — five defensive backs — as well as second-year cornerback Jack Williams on Sunday when Smith left the game with an ankle injury to go with rookie safety Darcel McBath in some defensive packages.
The Broncos also have another rookie safety on the roster, David Bruton.
"There is really nothing you can't ask them," Bruton said. "They know the answers, they've been there."
"You can put a collection of talent together at any time, but the most important thing is how they work together," Donatell said. "And these guys are selfless and they respect each other. (It's) a real good mix of guys and the common thread is the respect."
Shine off Dallas pass rush.
The Dallas Cowboys led the NFL in sacks last season, and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware led all players with 20.
But this year the Cowboys didn't get their first sack until Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, on the 97th pass attempt they faced.
The Cowboys finished the night with three sacks of the Panthers' Jake Delhomme.
"They're big and physical up front," Broncos center Casey Wiegmann said. "And we're going to face a lot of those kinds of teams."
The Broncos may have to make some adjustments because of injuries to guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and tackle Ryan Harris (shoulder). Both left the game Sunday and did not return.
They are expected to get treatment through the week. Hamilton missed practice time last week due to his injury. Harris injured the shoulder during training camp.
Footnotes.
Unless he makes significant improvement this week, it is unlikely Smith will be available to play Sunday against the Cowboys at Invesco Field at Mile High. Williams would play in his spot again. Smith suffered a severe ankle injury early in the 23-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. . . . Running back Correll Buckhalter, who is second in the NFL in yards per carry at 7.4, was nominated for one of the league's sponsored player of the week awards for his 108 yards rushing Sunday in Oakland. Fans can vote for Buckhalter at NFL.com. . . . Running back Knowshon Moreno was nominated for a rookie player of the week award. Fans can also vote at NFL.com. Moreno had 90 yards rushing against the Raiders to go with his first touchdown. . . . Former Broncos running back Ryan Torain had a workout in Miami, and former Broncos guard Kory Lichtensteiger was waived by the Vikings.
The way Ed Donatell figures it, all he has to do to get his point across is point at some of the players in front of him.
Point to the likes of Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman.
"I go in every day and say, 'Listen, this isn't around the league like this, you don't have this kind of role models, this is a tremendous advantage to you and you can springboard your career if you steal information from these guys,' " said Donatell, the Broncos' defensive backs coach. "You can tell guys, but to actually see it, you see the toughness of Dawkins, the preparation of Renaldo Hill, the professionalism and the technique you see from the corners outside.
"They're all visual examples, and that's the best way to teach."
Donatell's group has yet to surrender a touchdown pass this season, has given up only five pass plays of 20 yards and only one more than 30 yards in three games.
And the Broncos have mixed in rookie Alphonso Smith in the nickel package — five defensive backs — as well as second-year cornerback Jack Williams on Sunday when Smith left the game with an ankle injury to go with rookie safety Darcel McBath in some defensive packages.
The Broncos also have another rookie safety on the roster, David Bruton.
"There is really nothing you can't ask them," Bruton said. "They know the answers, they've been there."
"You can put a collection of talent together at any time, but the most important thing is how they work together," Donatell said. "And these guys are selfless and they respect each other. (It's) a real good mix of guys and the common thread is the respect."
Shine off Dallas pass rush.
The Dallas Cowboys led the NFL in sacks last season, and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware led all players with 20.
But this year the Cowboys didn't get their first sack until Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, on the 97th pass attempt they faced.
The Cowboys finished the night with three sacks of the Panthers' Jake Delhomme.
"They're big and physical up front," Broncos center Casey Wiegmann said. "And we're going to face a lot of those kinds of teams."
The Broncos may have to make some adjustments because of injuries to guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and tackle Ryan Harris (shoulder). Both left the game Sunday and did not return.
They are expected to get treatment through the week. Hamilton missed practice time last week due to his injury. Harris injured the shoulder during training camp.
Footnotes.
Unless he makes significant improvement this week, it is unlikely Smith will be available to play Sunday against the Cowboys at Invesco Field at Mile High. Williams would play in his spot again. Smith suffered a severe ankle injury early in the 23-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. . . . Running back Correll Buckhalter, who is second in the NFL in yards per carry at 7.4, was nominated for one of the league's sponsored player of the week awards for his 108 yards rushing Sunday in Oakland. Fans can vote for Buckhalter at NFL.com. . . . Running back Knowshon Moreno was nominated for a rookie player of the week award. Fans can also vote at NFL.com. Moreno had 90 yards rushing against the Raiders to go with his first touchdown. . . . Former Broncos running back Ryan Torain had a workout in Miami, and former Broncos guard Kory Lichtensteiger was waived by the Vikings.