Broncos spot lights..

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Spotlight: Kuper catches attention
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post

Posted: 12/15/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Chris Kuper (Denver Post file photo)Spotlight on: Chris Kuper

Position: Right guard

Height, weight: 6-feet-4, 303 pounds

Experience: Fourth season

College: North Dakota

The buzz: Kuper usually tries hard to avoid the spotlight, but he ended up on sports highlight shows across the country Sunday when Brandon Marshall pitched him the ball while Marshall was being tackled on the wide receiver's NFL-record 21st catch of the game. Kuper wasn't expecting the ball, but he caught it cleanly, cradled it and ran for 7 yards, exhibiting good moves for a guy his size. It was officially recorded as a reception, meaning Kuper finished the game with 7 receiving yards — 1 yards more than tight end Daniel Graham and 4 yards more than wide receiver Eddie Royal.

Looking ahead: Coach Josh McDaniels placed much of the blame for the Broncos' short-yardage struggles against Indianapolis on the offensive line. This weekend's game against Oakland will be an opportunity for those players, particularly the interior linemen such as Kuper, to redeem themselves against the Raiders' beefy defensive front. Oakland is ranked 30th in the 32-team NFL against the run, but the Raiders put together a goal-line stand against the Broncos in September.

Did you know? Kuper grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and played college football at North Dakota, an NCAA Division II power at the time. He was a two-time All-America offensive lineman.

Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com


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Spotlight on:
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/11/2009 01:00:00 AM MST

Tyler Polumbus looks to clear space on the line during a rushing play. The Denver Broncos vs the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post )
A look at Broncos offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus, a former standout at the University of Colorado and Cherry Creek High School:

Dimensions: 6-feet-8, 300 pounds

The buzz

Polumbus has started four games and played in most of two others at right tackle in place of Ryan Harris. With the team officially ending Harris' season this week by placing him on injured reserve with a toe injury, Polumbus will be the starter the remainder of the season.

"I've seen a guy who's gained confidence, because obviously, in this league, when you're playing in the games, that experience is more valuable than the experience that you gain in the offseason and all the rest of it," coach Josh McDaniels said this week. "He knows what we're doing."

Looking ahead

Polumbus has played against some of the NFL's top pass rushers this season, including Pittsburgh's James Harrison and San Diego's Shawne Merriman, and the Broncos are hoping that experience helps this Sunday against a fast and aggressive Colts defensive front.

Indianapolis' two defensive ends, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, have combined for 20 sacks this season. The Broncos have at times lined up tight end Daniel Graham as an additional blocker on the right side of the line to help Polumbus, and even overloaded the line at times with an extra lineman (Brandon Gorin) to help in pass protection since Harris was injured.

"We've kind of gotten away from doing some empty stuff, but I don't think that has to do with Tyler," quarterback Kyle Orton said. "I think that's just where we're at as an offense. I don't think we've done a whole lot to specifically help Tyler."

FYI

Polumbus came close to being a Colt. Former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy gave Polumbus a tempting free-agent offer immediately following the 2008 draft, when Polumbus went undrafted out of CU. Ultimately, Polumbus couldn't resist the chance to stay in Denver and play for his hometown Broncos when Mike Shanahan offered him a contract.

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Spotlight on:
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post

Posted: 12/08/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman returns an interception in the third quarter of the Broncos' win Sunday. He returned a fumble 30 yards for a TD later in the quarter. ( John Leyba, The Denver Post )Position: Cornerback

Height/weight: 5-feet-10, 184 pounds

The buzz: Goodman had quite a third quarter against the Chiefs on Sunday. First, Goodman intercepted a pass from Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, setting up a touchdown by Brandon Marshall four plays later to give Denver a 24-6 lead. Less than 10 minutes later, Goodman scored a touchdown himself after he scooped up Jamaal Charles' fumble (forced by Mario Haggan) and ran 30 yards to the end zone. Goodman now has a team-high four interceptions this season — the second-highest single-season total in his career. He had five last year.

Looking ahead: Goodman has received plenty of work as the cornerback lined up opposite Champ Bailey, and he — as well as the entire Denver secondary — will have perhaps the biggest challenge of the year this week against Peyton Manning and the top-ranked Colts passing offense.

"Champ's performance is key every week, as is André Goodman's," defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said Monday. "As you saw (Sunday), he was in the right place at the right time. We blitzed him four or five times, and he doesn't look like the kind of guy you want to bring too often, but it was the way things fell and it was his turn, and he did a real good job with it."

FYI: There must be something Goodman likes about playing at Arrowhead Stadium. He has intercepted a pass in each of his two trips to Kansas City — on Sunday, and last Dec. 21, when he returned an interception 55 yards when he played for the Dolphins. Incidentally, safety Renaldo Hill, Goodman's teammate now and then, also had an interception in both of those games.

Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com



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Broncos spotlight on linebacker
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/04/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Andre Goodman #21 (C) of the Denver Broncos is congratulated by Ty Law #26 and DJ Williams #55 after his fourth quarter interception of quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 26, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)A look at Broncos inside linebacker D.J. Williams:

The buzz: Williams has started all 11 games as the Broncos' weakside inside linebacker and leads the team with 81 total tackles and 63 solo stops. He has 3-1/2 sacks this year, which is already a career high; his previous best was 2-1/2 last season. His nine tackles for a loss are the third-most on the team, and he also has two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Looking ahead: Williams is on pace for 118 total tackles this season, which would be the second-highest total in his seven-year career. However, Williams has 24 games in his career with 10-plus tackles, so with a strong December, he could finish among the top 10 in the league this year. But that might not be enough for Williams to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl, especially in a season when other Denver defensive players (such as Elvis Dumervil and Brian Dawkins) have received much of the national attention.

FYI: Of the 50 Broncos draft picks from 2000-05, Williams is one of only two still on the team. Williams was the team's first-round pick out of Miami in 2004. The other is offensive lineman Ben Hamilton, who was drafted in 2001.

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