Lonestar
10-09-2009, 04:10 PM
By Mike Klis and Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/09/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 10/09/2009 01:12:32 AM MDT
Baltimore Ravens defenders made plenty of noise after last Sunday's game against New England, claiming that the referees do too much to protect Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
But Denver's top pass rusher isn't concerned.
Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, said the fear of a roughing the passer penalty won't change the way he tries to pressure Brady. Sunday will be Dumervil's first game against Brady.
"I'm going to play the way I play regardless," Dumervil said. "I'm going to treat him like any other quarterback. You can't worry about that. If you worry about that, you'll be hesitant."
New England's first four opponents have been penalized 33 times for 265 yards, while the Broncos have been penalized 26 times for 200 yards, including 10 for 81 yards last week against Dallas.
Denver coach Josh McDaniels was particularly critical of noncalls during last week's game against Dallas in a "mic'ed up" segment taped by the NFL Network. McDaniels, talking to an official, was heard telling a referee that it was "ridiculous" that the crew was not calling a procedural penalty against "America's Team."
But McDaniels on Thursday said his team is focused on its own penalty issues.
"It's part of the game we have to improve on. You're going to have a hard time getting into a rhythm offensively, you're going to have a hard time getting off the field defensively if you're constantly committing 7-8 penalties a game," McDaniels said. "We know this week (the Patriots) have historically been one of the least penalized teams in the league.
Bad weather not a problem.
The Broncos have the option to practice indoors when the weather turns wintery, as it did Thursday, but McDaniels had his team practice outside instead. The forecast for Sunday includes the possibility of rain or snow showers.
"If we play in it, I hope we practice in it, and that's going to be our philosophy," he said. "If it's wet, damp, raining, snowing, whatever, we're going to be outside."
Father and son day.
For only the second time in the career of Broncos backup quarterback Chris Simms, his dad Phil Simms will work his game as a network color analyst. CBS is sending its "A" broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Simms to call the Broncos-Patriots game Sunday.
The first time Phil Simms worked a game in which his son was involved occurred last year, when Chris was the No. 3 quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Chris will back up Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton for the game here Sunday.
"If I was playing, my dad wouldn't work the game," Chris said. "That's what he's told (CBS), anyway. It wouldn't bother me, but he wouldn't feel comfortable with it."
Then again, as both father and son well know, the backup quarterback is always one play away.
Footnotes.
Veteran safety Brian Dawkins missed his second consecutive practice Thursday with a sore knee and shoulder. Dawkins was on the field, wearing a sweat suit, and walked through defensive back drills in the portion of practice that was open to the media. . . . Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer was fined $5,000 for a face mask penalty on Denver quarterback Orton. . . . Left guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (ankle) were limited participants in practice.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13519608?source=rss#
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/09/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 10/09/2009 01:12:32 AM MDT
Baltimore Ravens defenders made plenty of noise after last Sunday's game against New England, claiming that the referees do too much to protect Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
But Denver's top pass rusher isn't concerned.
Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, said the fear of a roughing the passer penalty won't change the way he tries to pressure Brady. Sunday will be Dumervil's first game against Brady.
"I'm going to play the way I play regardless," Dumervil said. "I'm going to treat him like any other quarterback. You can't worry about that. If you worry about that, you'll be hesitant."
New England's first four opponents have been penalized 33 times for 265 yards, while the Broncos have been penalized 26 times for 200 yards, including 10 for 81 yards last week against Dallas.
Denver coach Josh McDaniels was particularly critical of noncalls during last week's game against Dallas in a "mic'ed up" segment taped by the NFL Network. McDaniels, talking to an official, was heard telling a referee that it was "ridiculous" that the crew was not calling a procedural penalty against "America's Team."
But McDaniels on Thursday said his team is focused on its own penalty issues.
"It's part of the game we have to improve on. You're going to have a hard time getting into a rhythm offensively, you're going to have a hard time getting off the field defensively if you're constantly committing 7-8 penalties a game," McDaniels said. "We know this week (the Patriots) have historically been one of the least penalized teams in the league.
Bad weather not a problem.
The Broncos have the option to practice indoors when the weather turns wintery, as it did Thursday, but McDaniels had his team practice outside instead. The forecast for Sunday includes the possibility of rain or snow showers.
"If we play in it, I hope we practice in it, and that's going to be our philosophy," he said. "If it's wet, damp, raining, snowing, whatever, we're going to be outside."
Father and son day.
For only the second time in the career of Broncos backup quarterback Chris Simms, his dad Phil Simms will work his game as a network color analyst. CBS is sending its "A" broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Simms to call the Broncos-Patriots game Sunday.
The first time Phil Simms worked a game in which his son was involved occurred last year, when Chris was the No. 3 quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Chris will back up Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton for the game here Sunday.
"If I was playing, my dad wouldn't work the game," Chris said. "That's what he's told (CBS), anyway. It wouldn't bother me, but he wouldn't feel comfortable with it."
Then again, as both father and son well know, the backup quarterback is always one play away.
Footnotes.
Veteran safety Brian Dawkins missed his second consecutive practice Thursday with a sore knee and shoulder. Dawkins was on the field, wearing a sweat suit, and walked through defensive back drills in the portion of practice that was open to the media. . . . Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer was fined $5,000 for a face mask penalty on Denver quarterback Orton. . . . Left guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (ankle) were limited participants in practice.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13519608?source=rss#