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View Full Version : Moreno to get first NFL start, and he says he's ready



Lonestar
10-10-2009, 12:41 PM
Posted: 10/10/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT


With Correll Buckhalter (ankle) out, rookie first-round draft pick Know- shon Moreno is prepared to make his first career start Sunday against New England.

"There's nothing he can't do," coach Josh McDaniels said Friday about Moreno. "He's totally ready to go with the whole game plan."

Moreno wouldn't confirm he would be the starter and would get more carries this week, but he said he feels "good about the week I've had."

Buckhalter has not practiced since spraining his left ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's game against Dallas. There's a chance he might miss next week's game at San Diego too.

Moreno and Buckhalter have alternated offensive series through the Broncos' first four games. Moreno has more carries (60, to Buckhalter's 37), but Buckhalter has more yards (267, to Moreno's 249).

Many of Moreno's runs have come on draw plays right up the gut of the opponents' defense. That's the type of plays Moreno said he takes pride in accomplishing.

"Those are the tough yards you've got to get," Moreno said.

The Broncos' other options at running back are LaMont Jordan and Peyton Hillis.

Playing loose.

Friday is clearly Fun Day at Dove Valley.

As usual, the team started the week's final practice with kickoff drills, in which five players from the defense and five from offense are picked by assistant coaches to be the coverage unit.

The defense took the challenge beyond just the drill, and choreographed an entrance sequence, with props.

Assistant linebackers coach Roman Phifer, a former Patriot, acted like a drum major, and led a line of players in a spirited "Battle of the Bands" style drum line, led by cornerback Jack Williams, who high-stepped to midfield. Linebacker D.J. Williams followed, banging on an overturned garbage can, while pass rusher Elvis Dumervil turned a blue blocking pad into a drum.

Injury update.

Safety Brian Dawkins returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday because of a sore shoulder and knee. Dawkins is officially listed as questionable.

If he's not able to play, rookie Darcel McBath would take his place.

Linebacker Spencer Larsen and Buckhalter are the only Broncos officially listed as out. Larsen has not played in a game yet after injuring his shoulder in a locker room accident just before the start of the season opener at Cincinnati.

For the Patriots, tackle Nick Kaczur, linebacker Jerod Mayo, safety James Sander, receiver Wes Welker and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork are all listed as questionable. Only running back Fred Taylor, who had surgery on his ankle Thursday, is officially out.

Footnotes.

Left tackle Ryan Clady was fined $5,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness for kicking a Dallas player during a pass rush play in last Sunday's game. Clady, who was penalized on the play, was fined $5,000 for a chop block earlier this season. Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff was fined $7,500 for a roughing-the- passer hit on quarterback Kyle Orton. . . . Moreno has been selected as rookie of the week for his performance against the Cowboys.

Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13530190