Broncos News

Orton misses second straight practice
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November 20
Colorado Springs Gazette
 
"Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton was a no-show at practice for the second straight day. Orton was not present for the portion of practice that is open to the media. Orton has a sprained left ankle, and has one more chance to practice this week. The Broncos have a practice on Friday, which is their final practice before Sunday's game. Usually Friday's practice is the lightest of the week. Most players don't play if they haven't practiced during the week, but McDaniels said he has no set rule on whether someone can play after not practicing. The Broncos are not giving up hope that Orton can play Sunday. The winner of the Broncos-Chargers game will be in sole possession of first place in ..."
Injured Broncos QB Orton improving, but still a question
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November 19
Denver Post
 
"Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said today quarterback Kyle Orton is making progress with his severely sprained left ankle, but that no determination will be made about Orton's playing time for Sunday's game against San Diego until it's necessary. And that decision certainly wasn't coming today. Orton has received treatment all week, but did not practice Wednesday or today. "(He'll) continue on with his rehab schedule, certainly not making any determination based on where he is now," McDaniels said. "But we'd love for him to be out there as soon as he can possibly be out there and we're hopeful he's going to play." Orton suffered the injury in the final seconds of the first half last Sunday ..."
Broncos QB Orton improving
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November 19
Longmont Times-Call
 
"Heading into their biggest game of the season while riding a three-game losing streak is tough in its own right for the Denver Broncos. Heading into the game with a question mark at quarterback makes it even tougher. Sunday, the Broncos (6-3) will face AFC West rival San Diego (6-3) at Invesco Field at Mile High and they may not have starting quarterback Kyle Orton with them. "We'll see," head coach Josh McDaniels said. "He's going to do everything he can to get better every day and we'll make that decision at the end of the week." Orton sat out the team's first practice of the week Wednesday as he nurses a sprained left ankle. He was injured during the first half of last Sunday's loss at ..."
Broncos' Orton sits out practice, but hopes to play Sunday
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November 18
Denver Post
 
"Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton said today he is optimistic he will be ready to play in Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. "That's the goal," Orton said during his weekly news conference. "I'm going to do everything that I can to be on the field Sunday. Myself, just like everybody else, we're excited to move on and play San Diego in this big game for the AFC West." But had the Broncos played the Chargers today, Orton would not have been their quarterback. Orton was not on the field for the Broncos' practice Wednesday, at least during the first 10 minutes or so that are open to the media."
Shanahan back atop Snyder's wish list?
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November 17
Washington Examiner
 columnist Rick Snider
"Did Mike Shanahan just regain the lead to becoming the Washington Redskins next coach? Jon Gruden signed a long-term deal on Monday to remain a "Monday Night Football" analyst that includes a no-exit clause for becoming a coach in 2010. Gruden was considered Redskins owner Dan Snyder's frontrunner among coaches with Super Bowl rings. The pool of Lombardi Trophy-winning coaches is becoming more shallow than a Hollywood agent. Mike Holmgren's recent comments on the Redskins' treatment of current coach Jim Zorn surely crosses him off Snyder's list. Bill Cowher keeps saying he's not interested in coaching. Tony Dungy might be more interested in general manager. Brian Billick's name never comes ..."
Broncos' Orton questionable for Sunday's game against San Diego
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November 17
Denver Post
 
"Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton is questionable for Sunday's showdown against San Diego, Denver coach Josh McDaniels said today. Orton injured his left ankle late in the first half in Sunday's 24-17 loss at Washington. McDaniels would not divulge the extent of the injury. "Not sure how that's going to go," McDaniels said. "We're going to see how he progresses during the course of the next few days and see if and when Kyle is ready to go. Whether that's Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (or) not at all. He's definitely not out for the game. We're certainly hopeful we can get him ready to go.""
Broncos' Orton will play despite ankle injury
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November 16
NFL.com
 
"NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi is reporting Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton will play this week against the San Diego Chargers despite an injured left ankle. Orton sat out the second half of Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Redskins after he was injured during a scramble late in the first half, and refused to speculate on the severity of the injury following the game."
Simms doomed by lack of practice reps
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November 16
Denver Post
 
"Do not judge a backup quarterback, the Broncos say, merely on when he plays as a backup. For many reasons, a backup quarterback should play better when he becomes a starting quarterback, if only temporarily. The Broncos lost their starting quarterback, Kyle Orton, to an ankle injury just before halftime Sunday in a game against the Washington Redskins. When they lost Orton, the Broncos lost their 17-14 halftime lead. Chris Simms played the second half, and that's where the Broncos lost the game 27-17. "Kyle's a great quarterback and obviously has had all the reps," Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler said. "A guy like that goes down after he's put in so much work, it's tough. Chris was ..."
Error by Redskins' Rogers contributes to early exit
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November 16
Washington Times
 
"In the first half of the season, Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers played 95.2 percent of the defensive snaps. He lasted four plays Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Rogers was beaten on a double move by Brandon Marshall that resulted in a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Broncos an early lead and Rogers an early exit. Fred Smoot and Justin Tryon joined DeAngelo Hall as the Redskins' corners for the rest of their 27-17 victory. "I went through this last year once Shawn [Springs] got back from being injured - he started, and I never got an answer," Rogers said. "This year, I do know - I gave up a double move to Philadelphia and gave up this double move. They took me out, and that's ..."
Trickery winds up being a treat for Redskins
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November 16
Washington Times
 
"When you're 2-6 and you're losing to a team with one of the NFL's best records in front of a surly home crowd and you've become the butt of so many jokes, well, it might be time to try something different. So the Washington Redskins resorted to some trickery against the Denver Broncos on Sunday at FedEx Field - and it worked. Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, the Redskins ran a play that began with Shaun Suisham lining up for a field goal attempt and ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass from punter Hunter Smith to fullback Mike Sellers. The trick play was "Tiger Special," concocted by special teams coach Danny Smith. The Redskins had practiced it with wide receiver Antwaan Randle El but ..."
Backup plan helps offense get into line
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November 16
Washington Times
 columnist Thom Loverro
"Levi Jones, Chad Rinehart and Stephon Heyer sat together at the end of the Washington Redskins' bench with a little more than two minutes left in the game Sunday. They were smiling, basking in the adoration pouring down from the raucous FedEx Field crowd that was on its feet, ready to celebrate. Injured tight end Chris Cooley hopped over on crutches to congratulate them, as did the man who is the godfather of all men in a burgundy and gold uniform who block for a living, Joe Bugel. Bugel had felt many moments like these in the glory days of the Hogs. There haven't been many in recent years - none, specifically, this year. It was relief as much as it was celebration of the Redskins' 27-17 ..."
Trick play helps Redskins end skid
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November 16
Washington Times
 
"When the Washington Redskins' first feel-good win of the season became official, defensive end Andre Carter simply dropped to both knees and used his right hand to signal No. 1. Yes, it had been that long since a solid triumph - back to last December against Philadelphia. And absolutely, it had been that long since a win of any kind - Oct. 4 against Tampa Bay. "I was like Johnny Drama in 'Entourage' - he says, 'Victory!' every time he's successful," Carter said after the Redskins' 27-17 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. "When you win, it's good because you know the hard work and dedication you put forth throughout the week is not in vain." It would be foolish to get too optimistic ..."
Planets all align for Redskins on successful fake
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November 16
Washington Post
 
"For trickery to work in the NFL, a certain number of planets have to align, and when Jim Zorn and Danny Smith looked out at FedEx Field in the middle of the second quarter Sunday, there they were, all in a row. The Washington Redskins, desperate for a win, trailed the Denver Broncos by seven points. They faced fourth and 20 from the Denver 35-yard line. This was the time: Pull out the fake field goal, the play the special teams unit coached by Smith had practiced, as he said, "for weeks." So they lined up as if Shaun Suisham would kick a 53-yarder. And then they shifted into a formation with Suisham in the slot, and holder Hunter Smith -- a professional punter with all of one passing ..."
Redskins' Betts looks like overqualified understudy
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November 16
Washington Post
 
"After posting a rushing performance unlike any Redskins fans had seen this season, running back Ladell Betts was led to the interview room beneath FedEx Field. It's a postgame area usually reserved for the head coach and one or two star players. Betts is a guy whose own team misspelled the name on the back of his jersey during a preseason game this year. "I was just joking on the way over here, I didn't remember how to get to this room," Betts said with a smile. "It's been so long." Fortunately for the Redskins, he didn't have the same problem finding his way to the field for the team's first offensive possession. Starting for the first time since 2006, Betts proved to be a ..."
Titans, Bengals stepping up; Cowboys, Broncos take step back
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November 16
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Sam Farmer
"Do not adjust your picture. But you might want to adjust your Super Bowl picks. The Cowboys, who had won four in a row, were nearly shut out Sunday ... by a Packers team that lost to the winless Buccaneers a week earlier. The Broncos, who looked indestructible as they rolled to a 6-0 start ... now seem to be imploding just like they did at the end of last season. The Titans lost their first six games and appeared to be playing for the No. 1 draft pick in 2010 ... then reversed their field with three consecutive wins behind Vince Young, version 2.0. And the Bengals, fresh off a 4-11-1 season ... have successfully swept the Super Bowl champion Steelers for the first time since 1998. Ignore ..."
Orton injures ankle
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November 16
Denver Post
 
"There is now a mirror image to the tortoise and the hare fable. It was the Broncos' Game 9 story of Kyle Orton. No rabbit, Orton started fast against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, but couldn't finish. Tackled from behind on essentially the final offensive play of the first half, Orton limped off with a sprained left ankle and didn't return. With backup quarterback Chris Simms struggling to shake off nearly 3 1/2 years of rust, the Broncos suffered a disheartening 27-17 loss to the Redskins before another sellout crowd at FedEx Field."
Kyle Orton leaves game with leg injury
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November 15
Denver Post
 
"Kyle Orton suffered an ankle injury on his final snap of the first half and is listed as doubtful to play in the second half. Chris Simms, in his first possession of the season, led the Broncos to first downs, but his first possession ended in a short Mitch Berger punt. Orton was running for a short gain inside the Redskins' 10-yard line when he was tackled by rookie Brian Orakpo. Orton came up limping."
Broncos offense looks for spark
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November 15
Longmont Times-Call
 
"The thought of Brandon Marshall or Eddie Royal streaking down the field, catching a deep pass in stride en route to the end zone is tantalizing. "Yeah, you have to take shots (down the field)," Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton said. "But you don't want to force the ball." The deep pass has been virtually non-existent from the Broncos' offense this season. The long passing plays the Broncos (6-2) have had were short throws turned into big gains by the receivers. Offensively, the Broncos rely on a steady run game and high-percentage, short passes to move the chains. Orton has been good at that this season, for the most part. Yet, over the past two games, the Broncos' offense has ..."
Q&A: Is punter Mitch Berger the next player on the Broncos' hot seat?
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November 14
Denver Post
 
"Welcome back and keep the queries coming ... Today's comes from Barry V. Smith: Q: It seems that Coach McDaniels changes players when they have performed poorly — Ben Hamilton has now been benched for his play against the Steelers, (Jack) Williams was let go for his play against the Ravens, and (Brett) Kern was let go for his long, but low, kicks and the lone return for a touchdown by (Darren) Sproles. The current punter should be next on the block for his poor play over the last two games as well. ... The Broncos consistently lost field advantage because of poor angles and short punts. Can we expect to see a new punter in town soon? A: Barry, it's clear McDaniels has put folks on notice ..."
Paxton's streak to hit 100 games
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November 14
Denver Post
 
"Lonie Paxton will snap it long for his 100th consecutive NFL game Sunday at Washington. Not bad for an undrafted free agent out of Division I-AA Sacramento State. The streak would have been 161, dating back to the first game of his rookie season with New England in 2000. But an injury forced Paxton to miss the final three games of 2003. Paxton, who played with the Pats until he signed a three- year deal as a free-agent long snapper with the Broncos in February, has played in more wins (116-47) than any player on the roster. Brian Dawkins is next (115-92-2). Ty Law is 113-97. Paxton doesn't remember Game 1 of the streak but he does recall his first preseason game. It was the 2000 Hall of ..."
Champ reflects on deal that seems long ago
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November 14
Denver Post
 
"For many players, five seasons is an NFL lifetime. For Champ Bailey, he has now surpassed that in his second NFL life, here in Denver. On Sunday, when the Broncos play at the Washington Redskins, Bailey will revisit his former life for the first time since the megatrade 5 1/2 years ago that ended with Bailey (and a second-round draft pick) here and star running back Clinton Portis in Washington. "It seems like a long time ago, honestly," Bailey said this week. "I've spent more time here than I spent there." Bailey was 25 years old when he became a Bronco on March 4, 2004, and he has been in Denver long enough, and seen so much change at Dove Valley, that now, at age 31, he is the ..."
Shanahan, Sakic lead Hall class
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November 14
Denver Post
 
"The selection committee of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame went into the recent past for its top two inductees, picking former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and former Avalanche captain Joe Sakic. The committee announced its six inductees Friday. They will be honored at a banquet April 20 at the Denver Marriott City Center. Shanahan coached the Broncos for 14 seasons, highlighted by victories over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII and the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Sakic played 20 seasons in the NHL, all with the Avalanche organization. He was a member of Canada's gold medal hockey team in 2002. Others selected to the 2010 class are Bob Blasi, longtime football coach at ..."
Redskins Week 10 preview: vs. Broncos
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November 14
Washington Examiner
 
"Keys to the game 1. Make big plays » Hey, there's a new one. But the Redskins' defense and special teams are the ones who must make them. Denver's punt and kick return units have not had stellar seasons, allowing touchdown returns in both areas. But it'll only happen on punts if Santana Moss is back deep. Denver's offense will play it safe and use quick throws - slants and screens. But the Redskins' defense must be the ones to impact the game. 2. Play disciplined » The Redskins can't afford any more dive and rolls at back's feet, or trying to tackle backs at their shoulder pads; better attention to fundamentals would help. They jump offsides too often and it always seems to cost ..."
Smith, Betts, Heyer in line to play Sunday
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November 14
Washington Times
 
"The injury news Friday was all good for the Washington Redskins for a change. Punter Hunter Smith, running back Ladell Betts and right tackle Stephon Heyer practiced and are expected to be ready for Sunday's game against Denver. Smith, who has missed three of the past four games, tested his right groin for the first time this week and kicked well enough that he likely will play Sunday. But coach Jim Zorn said he won't make a final decision until Saturday. If Smith plays, fill-in Sam Paulescu will be cut and the Redskins will add a player - perhaps practice-squad safety Lendy Holmes - to the roster. If Smith doesn't play, he likely will be placed on injured reserve. Running back Clinton ..."
Broncos wary of another second-half slide
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November 14
Washington Times
 
"Champ Bailey sure didn't see this coming. The Denver Broncos got off to their best start this season since they won the Super Bowl more than a decade ago - a wave of success that caught even the eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback by surprise. "At the beginning of every year, I expect us to be in the running to go to the playoffs," said Bailey, a former Washington Redskins standout now in his sixth season with the Broncos. "Now if there was a season that I could not have been so optimistic, it was probably this year." Bailey had good reason for modest expectations. The Broncos lost their final three games last year, becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to blow a three-game lead in the ..."
Glory days may be thing of past for Redskins
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November 14
Washington Times
 columnist Thorn Loverro
"Who will be the voice of Washington Redskins tradition 20 years from now? What former Redskins great will be called on in 2029 to talk about the glory days? Chris Cooley? What would he talk about - the glorious two-game playoff run of 2005 or the brief playoff appearance of 2007? What will he say? That players don't show private parts on their blogs like they used to? Will any player who has been part of this franchise over the past five years still connect to the hearts and minds of Redskins fans like the players who are heard today? Fans listen to Doc Walker, Joe Theismann, Brian Mitchell, John Riggins and their teammates because they delivered great times - four Super Bowl appearances ..."
Heading to D.C., Broncos' offense stalling
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November 12
Longmont Times-Call
 
"During their current two-game losing streak, the Denver Broncos have struggled to get much done on offense. The past two games have seen the Broncos total just 10 points, 442 yards and 93 rushing yards on offense. Yet, as they prepare for Sunday's game at Washington (2-6), the Broncos (6-2) believe they can get back where they were earlier this season. "We haven't lost faith in our ability to run the football or play good offense here," head coach Josh McDaniels said. "We just have to go back to work and do better." During their 6-0 start, the Broncos averaged 368.7 total yards (ninth in the league at the time), 132.7 rushing yards (seventh) and 22.2 points (18th). Those numbers have ..."
Deep ball high on Orton's wish list
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November 12
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"There's a new voice calling for the Broncos to throw the ball down the fieldKyle Orton's. It is his coach, Josh McDaniels, who seems reluctant to let him try. Granted, this requires a little tea-leaf reading. The only times we actually see Orton and McDaniels talking is on the sideline during games. Sometimes it looks as if they're yelling at each other, but we can't hear what they're saying. McDaniels assures us that what you say is more important than how you say it, and that Orton has a thick skin, so I guess we have some idea what they're saying. But I wasn't even asking Orton about that Wednesday when he volunteered that it would be great to make a few plays down the field. He was ..."
Broncos' Hamilton bumped by Hochstein on offensive line
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November 12
Denver Post
 
"The longest-tenured Bronco has been bumped from the starting lineup. According to an NFL source, Ben Hamilton, who has been with the Broncos since he was drafted in 2001, has been replaced at left guard by Russ Hochstein, who was acquired in August in a trade with New England. Hochstein worked with the first-team during the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media."
Bailey back in town with Broncos
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November 12
Washington Times
 
"Perhaps the best player the Washington Redskins have employed in the past seven seasons will start Sunday at FedEx Field. For the visitors. Champ Bailey returns to town with the Denver Broncos. "It will be a little different coming out of the visitors' locker room and going onto that field," Bailey said. "I had a lot of special moments there." Bailey, whose eight Pro Bowl berths are tied for second among cornerbacks, helped Washington win its only NFC East title of the past 17 years as a rookie in 1999. The next year, he began his run of postseason trips to Hawaii. But when talks on a new contract broke off during the 2003 season, Bailey was on his way to being traded with a second-round ..."
Orton, Broncos looking inward to fix stalled offense
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November 11
Denver Post
 
"With the Broncos coming off back-to-back losses, it is time for introspection at Dove Valley, quarterback Kyle Orton said Wednesday. For Orton, that started with giving himself a clean shave — he has rid himself of the full beard he has sported in recent weeks — and then taking a critical look at every phase of the Broncos offense. "You've got to look at what they've done to us, but we've also got to look at what we've done to ourselves. I think it goes both ways," Orton said. "We've played two good teams, two good defenses and they've done some good things against us, but really, the big thing for us is look at the things we've done to ourselves and try to correct those as fast as ..."
Steelers stop Broncos 28-10 on "Monday Night Football"
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November 11
Denver Post
 
"They went back to wherever it is they keep their wild horse. They went often to their strobe-like personality that is Brandon Marshall and his fluorescent-orange shoes. They went to their playbook and gave some of their same old plays a try. Nowhere could the Broncos find their long-lost offense. The little "o" in Bronco has been missing for a couple of games now. Big Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't do much, at least until the second half, but it was plenty enough to defeat the Broncos 28-10 on a comfortably cool Monday night at Invesco Field at Mile High."
Broncos' gallop slows to a trot
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November 11
Washington Post
 
"For six games, the Denver Broncos were the NFL's most surprising success story as a rookie head coach and an underappreciated quarterback strung together victories against the backdrop of an offseason filled with negative headlines and turbulence. But the storyline has changed considerably over the last week and a half, and now it's unclear which version of the Broncos -- the one that beat three division leaders en route to the 6-0 start or the one that has failed to keep things from unraveling in consecutive lopsided defeats -- will play the Washington Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field. "We have to go back to work," linebacker Andra Davis said after the first of the Broncos' losses 10 ..."
Broncos' loss reveals glaring tale of 2 halves
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November 10
Longmont Times-Call
 
"By halftime Monday, the Denver Broncos had done exactly what they wanted to do against the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense. Pittsburgh had 23 rushing yards, and 54 total yards. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had been sacked twice. Potential Hall of Fame receiver Hines Ward had one catch for 4 yards. "You've got to give the Broncos credit; they came out smoking," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. In the second half, however, it was all Pittsburgh. The Steelers put up 321 yards after halftime, including 150 on the ground. Rashard Mendenhall (25 yards in the first half) finished with 155 yards on the ground. Roethlisberger threw three second-half touchdowns, and Ward led the team with seven ..."
Chargers climbing while Denver dives
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November 10
Longmont Times-Call
 
"Don't look now, Broncos fans, but the San Diego Chargers ain't far behind. Three weeks ago, the Broncos went into San Diego, beat up the Chargers and took a 31/2-game lead in the AFC West. That lead is down to one. Since that game in Southern California, the Broncos are 0-2; the Chargers are 3-0. "All we can do is handle our part of it," rookie Robert Ayers said. "We can't worry about what they're doing." True, but the Broncos had better start handling their part. They've been manhandled two weeks in a row, by Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and haven't looked good in either game. Some of the things the Broncos did well during their 6-0 start — efficiency on offense, protecting the ball, wearing ..."
Interceptions doom Denver in loss to Steelers
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November 10
Longmont Times-Call
 
"During the first six weeks of the season, the Denver Broncos outplayed and outcoached their opponents. During the past two weeks, the Broncos have been given a taste of their own medicine. Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers came to Invesco Field at Mile High and dominated the second half en route to a 28-10 win over the Broncos. "They just outplayed us for 60 minutes," running back Correll Buckhalter said. "We don't have no excuses. We got beat. Bottom line." After a 6-0 start, the Broncos (6-2) have lost two in a row — by a combined 41 points. Yet, following Monday's defeat, the Broncos insisted there is no reason to panic. "We are in first place of the AFC West (and) lost to two good ..."
Big second half lifts Steelers to MNF victory
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November 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Not much has come easy for the Steelers during their tour as reigning Super Bowl champions. They nonetheless arrived at the midway point of the season with a five-game winning streak in tow. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns and the Steelers' defense scored more TDs than it gave up Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 76,108 at Invesco Field. As a result, the Steelers won a regular-season game in Denver for the first time since 1990. Their resounding 28-10 victory also set up a showdown with the Bengals on Sunday at Heinz Field with sole possession of first place in the AFC North on the line. The Steelers (6-2) got to this point in large part because the ..."
Steelers dominate Broncos
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November 10
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Steel Hurtin' defense, playing without three starters, rose up in the mile-high altitude to deliver a crushing victory last night, the team's fifth consecutive win. The Steelers dominated the Broncos and won, 28-10, despite losing two big turnovers of their own, one for a touchdown and another that prevented one. The victory lifted the Steelers' record to 6-2 and a tie with Cincinnati atop the AFC North Division. The teams meet at 1 p.m. Sunday in Heinz Field. Denver lost its second in a row toto 6-2. Three times, the Steelers intercepted Kyle Orton, who had thrown just one in his first seven games, and two of them led to touchdowns for the Steelers. Tyrone Carter, the man who replaced ..."
Steelers-Broncos rivalry endures
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November 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"In the early 1970s, at the start of their Super Bowl glory days, the Steelers' chief antagonist was the Oakland Raiders, a team that inspired hatred and lawsuits, forearm shivers and immaculate receptions. Toward the end of that decade, it was the Houston Oilers, a team that just never could kick down the door and get past the Steelers to the Super Bowl. It was a rivalry based on mutual respect and flavored with the folksy charm of their cowboy coach, O.A. "Bum" Phillips. Nearly 30 years later, no team tormented the Steelers more than the New England Patriots, who deprived them of two more Super Bowl appearances by beating them on their home field in the conference championship in 2001 and ..."
Some of the top games in Steelers-Broncos feud
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November 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Sept. 22, 1974Steelers 35, Broncos 35 (OT)It was the first overtime tie in NFL history, but it also marked the beginning of the end for quarterback Joe Gilliam, who started for Terry Bradshaw and passed for 348 yards. Gilliam, however, threw so often (a club-record 50 attempts), against the wishes of coach Chuck Noll, that Bradshaw was reinserted as the starter and led the team to their first Super Bowl. Dec. 24, 1977Broncos 34, Steelers 21AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFThe Steelers' attempt for an unprecedented third Super Bowl trophy was ended in Denver by the Broncos, who eventually advanced to the Super Bowl. The game likely is best remembered for defensive tackle Joe Greene punching guard Paul ..."
Matchup: Steelers vs. Broncos
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November 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"When the Steelers have the ball: The Broncos have been stingy on defense, allowing a league-low 96 points despite giving up 30 a week ago to the Ravens. They have switched to a 3-4 defense that features OLB Elvis Dumervil and puts more pressure on the quarterback. It has allowed them to get better coverage in the secondary, which is headed by Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey and S Brian Dawkins. The Broncos allowed just two passes of 20 yards or longer against the Ravens, something they will have to prevent against Ben Roethlisberger. The Ravens had 125 yards rushing on 35 carries against the Broncos, the first team to rush for more than 100 yards against them. RB Rashard Mendenhall has averaged ..."
Steelers LT Max Starks vs. Broncos LB Elvis Dumervil
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November 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Do not adjust your television sets. There is nothing wrong with your picture. Your eyes are not being deceived. If it looks as if an undersized outside linebacker wearing No. 92 is wreaking havoc in the backfield and sacking the quarterback, it is not the same player wearing two different uniforms. It only appears that way. There might not be two players in the National Football League who more closely resemble each other than Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Denver linebacker Elvis Dumervil, everything from their physical stature to jersey number to production on the field. Dumervil is the right outside linebacker in the Broncos' 3-4 defense, the same position Harrison plays for the ..."
Ty Law signs with Broncos
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November 8
Denver Post
 
"Ty Law's semi-retirement officially ended today after he passed a physical and signed a one-year contract with the Broncos. Law, 35, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback, participated in the team's light practice this afternoon and attended team meetings and is preparing to play in Monday's home game against Pittsburgh. "I've trained and stayed in shape in case the right opportunity came along, but the right opportunity didn't come along. Now it finally did," Law said. "I had to jump on it." Law's contract will pay him $800,000 in base salary, and he also received a $200,000 signing bonus. He could earn an additional $400,000 in incentives. To make room for Law on the 53-man roster, the Broncos ..."
Timmons, Kirschke to sit out Monday's game
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November 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Already unlikely to have safety Ryan Clark for Monday night's game against Denver, the Steelers will be missing two more starters on the defensive side of the ball. Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons and defensive end Travis Kirschke missed practice for the third consecutive day Saturday and each said after the final tuneup before Monday's game that they will not play against the Broncos. "I am not going to be able to play," said Timmons, who is nursing a right ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago against Minnesota. Kirschke, who is already filling in for the injured Aaron Smith at left end, has a torn left calf muscle that hasn't responded well enough over the past two weeks for him to ..."
Steelers-Broncos game takes on a special meaning
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November 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 columnist Gene Collier
"For a couple of teams who've won all but three of their 14 combined games, the Steelers and Broncos are lugging around plenty of issues, richly evident weaknesses that could send a promising football season careening into a u-turn tomorrow night in the Rockies. The 5-2 Steelers have a 334-yard passing performance by Brett Favre still fresh in the collective memory of their secondary, which from all indications will be without steadying safety Ryan Clark at the back of a defense thinning faster than the mile high air. Pittsburgh had the ball for only 23:02 against Minnesota, and its two sub-30 minute possession performances have come in the past three games. The 6-1 Broncos have a decorated ..."
McDaniels has brought energy to the Denver Broncos
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November 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The flickering lights at Josh McDaniels' weekly press conference eventually were linked to construction outside the building. But players wouldn't have been surprised were it McDaniels himself causing the power surge. The personable young coach has brought passion and fire to a Denver Broncos team that already has won nearly as many games (six) as Las Vegas oddsmakers predicted for the entire season. "He has a lot of energy," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said of the 33-year-old McDaniels, just two years his senior. "Whether it's good or bad energy, he's going to let you know how he feels. I'm getting used to it and I kind of like it because I know where it's coming from.""
Gaffney plugs holes in McDaniels' offense
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November 7
Denver Post
 
"Jabar Gaffney didn't catch any balls in the Broncos' preseason opener. Omen or aberration? It's hard to tell with Gaffney. He may be the ultimate mystery man on one of the NFL's pre-eminent mystery teams. He could be a man for all seasons, or he could be rendered an afterthought in the Broncos' offense. At the moment, all we know is this - Josh McDaniels is glad to have him on the roster. "He's got a role," McDaniels said. "He knows what his role is. He's going to go out there and play wherever we need him to play in certain situations. You know you're going to face injuries in this league. If somebody goes down, it's easy to say, 'Hey, Jab, go play that slot,' and he won't even blink. ..."
Broncos adding Law
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November 6
Denver Post
 
"The Broncos moved to shore up their secondary Friday coming to terms with veteran cornerback Ty Law. Law, 35, has been named to five Pro Bowls. He has not played this season. Law did not return a message Friday, but is expected to formally sign a contract Saturday and join the team for meetings if he passes a physical. The Broncos had no comment and did not turn in a transaction to the league. It is unknown when the Broncos would be ready to put Law on the field. The Broncos play at home Monday night against Pittsburgh, then Nov. 15 in Washington. Law played seven games, starting six, for the Jets last season. He was with the New England Patriots for four of Broncos' coach Josh McDaniels' ..."
Broncos will be running up hill against Steelers
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November 6
Denver Post
 
"Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels often will say an offense can't force the ball to specific spots or players, that it has to go where the openings are against any defense. That said, McDaniels also believes the Broncos are going to have to find a way to run the ball some against the league's No. 1 run defense Monday night. The Steelers lead the NFL, having allowed only 76.6 yards a game rushing. They also have faced the fewest rushing attempts from opposing offenses - 140, or 20 attempts per game - well below the league average of 198.2 attempts and 20 fewer than the next team in line. The Bengals' defense has faced only 160 rushing attempts from opposing offenses this season and the ..."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
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November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."