Denver Pre-game articles

[flutie2phelan]

Tremendous pickup by Box
of BigHungry71 waving a white surrender flag.

I was gonna do that, but now i'm confined to offering
this article in Denver's other paper
citing John Lynch's view of the Broncs' run-defense breakdown:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5009774,00.html

Go! ... Gillette's Twin Blades !

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Walker's catching on
Big play in overtime against Chiefs signals new wideout proving worth

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4371057

Stop the tape. Here's the guy. Here's your game-winner. The study always brought the Broncos to Javon Walker. After two months of study and subsequent negotiations with Green Bay, the Broncos used a second-round pick to trade for Walker on draft day. And in a 9-6 victory over Kansas City, Walker began to show why the Broncos wanted him.
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During a second consecutive game of mostly uninspired and mistake-filled play by the offense, Walker made the play of the early season in overtime. With longtime star receiver Rod Smith on the bench because of a concussion, the Broncos were at the Chiefs' 49-yard line on second-and-10. Walker took off down the Chiefs' sideline, baiting veteran cornerback Ty Law and moving inward toward the ball. He brought in the pass from Jake Plummer, and made a nice move to get to the Chiefs' 25 for a 24-yard gain.
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Against the Chiefs, Walker showed why he is a co-No. 1 receiver with Smith. He made five catches for 79 yards, and ran a 16-yard reverse on fourth-and-1 from Kansas City's 43 in the third quarter to set up the first of Elam's three field goals.
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New England tried to get Walker to visit after he completed his trip to Denver on the eve of his draft-day trade.

"Now, I'm finally making that trip to New England," Walker said. "But I'm a Bronco now."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5983

Two of the premier coaches in the NFL will face-off this Sunday when Denver travels to Foxboro, Mass. to play the Patriots. Combined, Head Coach Mike Shanahan and New England head coach Bill Belichick have won five of the last eight Super Bowls.
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"You know everybody's watching," Rod Smith said. "When we leave our games and the Sunday night game is on, everybody goes home and watches that game. It's almost like - it's not taking the place of Monday Night Football - but it has that same feel. You know the whole country is watching."
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While football fans near and far have undoubtedly taken noticed of the Broncos stout defense, the nationally televised game offers the offense a chance to display its mettle.

"Offensively it's a time for us to definitely come out of this little funk that we're in and prove to everybody in the league and across the country that we are a good offensive football team," Smith said.
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DÉJÀ VU: Last season started with a loss at Miami and a second game that turned in Denver's favor on a Champ Bailey interception.

This season started with a loss at St. Louis and a second game that turned in Denver's favor on a Javon Walker reception.

Was Walker's 24-yard catch in overtime that set up Jason Elam's game-winning kick the catalyst for another 13-3 season?

 

[italia44]

I HATE this team with a passion,they're almost as arrogant as Pittsville and their fans.We've played them 12 straight years and almost always in Denver.I'm sick of them,the only consolation is the way they choke at home in the playoffs.If Watson's tackle on Champ Bailey had been ruled a touchback,we would have come back to beat them.Now...THAT,would have exorcised all my demons!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Broncos notes heading to New England
http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?...MPLATEID=af6b6b60-ac1f-02c5-0012-a9383dc2f691

Javon Walker figures he has his burst back after missing last season with a knee injury.
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The fifth-year pro who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, looks significantly smaller than he did in Green Bay, where he was thicker in the chest and more muscular in the shoulders.
Not that he's skinny now, just smaller.
"I'm probably 20 pounds lighter. I used to play around Brandon's size," Walker said, referring to the rookie Brandon Marshall, who packs 222 pounds on his 6-4 frame.
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Rod Smith didn't want to talk about his latest concussion, only about the Broncos' next game.
He said the prime time kickoff at New England on Sunday night is a perfect chance for the Broncos to quiet the doubters who are wondering if their stumbling start on offense portends to a tough season.
"Offensively, it's time for us to come out of this little funk that we're in and prove to everybody in the league" that Denver still has a good offense, he said Thursday.
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Safety John Lynch said it's a mistake to think Denver's defense has it easier now that wide receiver Deion Branch has been traded from New England to Seattle.
"Certainly, when you have Branch, you're aware of him on each and every play. (But) they've got some guys who can play out there: Chad Jackson, the rookie; Doug Gabriel; Reche Caldwell's a guy they feel good about. And then all the tight ends," Lynch said.
"I think as long as they have 12 (Tom Brady) back there, he's going to distribute the ball to whoever's out there and whoever's open."
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Linebacker Al Wilson bristled when it was suggested the game against the Patriots might weigh heavy on the Broncos simply because their bye is coming so early in the season, they'd have two weeks to ponder a 1-2 stumble should they lose.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.fox23.com/sports/nfl/story.aspx?content_id=EA9960F9-21A5-4610-B393-B07320598FC0

An in-depth match-up analysis.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No fear: Bring on Brady's best shot
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4377800

And here's betting New England, clearly the top franchise of this decade, will never be able to put all the pieces back together again.

"We ain't seen nothing that worries us. Anything that comes at us, we've seen before," said Williams of the firm belief that the Broncos' defense is rocking so hard that it gets in the head of foes.

"Teams fear you. Other teams really do fear you."

Consider yourself warned, Mr. Brady.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hoot picks NFL winners
http://www.thehoot.net/?module=displaystory&story_id=1513&format=html

Denver v. New England: This is not good for the Broncos: their offense, especially QB Jake Plummer have been awful and they’re on the road against the Patriots. The Bronco’s couldn’t get a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Patriots have a better defense.
PICK: NEW ENGLAND

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5987

A Rainy Night in New England?: The National Weather Service is calling for rain with the possibility of thunderstorms and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour for Sunday night's kickoff with temperatures in the mid-60's.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Grounded in New England
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5988

New England ranks third in the NFL in rushing heading into Sunday with 165.0 yards on the ground in Weeks 1 and 2; the Broncos stand fourth with 152.0 yards per game.
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"Any time you can rush the ball like they're running it, it causes problems for any defense," Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. "Take a look at all three of their running backs."
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A year ago, the Broncos nearly had the first 1,000-yard rushing tandem in 20 years. Through two weeks, Dillon and Maroney are on pace for 1,224 and 1,208 yards, respectively, and while it's problematic at best to make a statistical analysis after just two weeks, the addition of Maroney and the experience of Dillon have helped the Patriots surge to a 2-0 opening.
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Dillon and Maroney have each run the football more than either of Denver's leading ball-carriers, Tatum Bell and Mike Belll. Dillon and Maroney have 36 and 33 rushes, respectively, while the Bells have 31 and 23 carries apiece -- with the elder Bell having the higher total.
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And in spite of the Patriots' running proclivity, that means preparing for the idea that they could opt to wing it come Sunday night.

"I remember that they (ran the ball frequently) a couple of years ago, but then one week they spread it out and thew the ball (about) 20 times in a row," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "Anything can happen. They're going to change their game plan a little bit every week, so we've just got to be prepared for whatever (comes)."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Run game key for Pats; Passing attack still needs help
http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/sports.aspx?articleid=140944&zoneid=23

The best way to succeed against a fast defense like Denver's is to "get on them and not let them run, not play a space game with them, and try to get somebody on them so that they're not running free," Belichick said.

This will be more like the Buffalo game with a fast penetrating defense - but unlike Buffalo, BB has game film to help develop a game plan.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Broncos v. Patriots Game Snapshot
http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=66&p=2&c=571717

2006 rankings: Broncos: offense 19th (4th rush, 29th pass); defense 15th (24th rush, 7th pass). Patriots: offense 12th (3rd rush, 20th pass); defense 13th (9th rush, 18th pass)
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PREDICTION: Broncos 23-17
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CB Darrent Williams has 10 yards on three punt returns this year. Williams said he isn't worried, he has confidence in his blockers and feels close to breaking a long return.

Everything I've read so far indicates their return game is struggling, maybe Izzo and Co. can provide the defense & offense a few gifts.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Do Broncos Have Shot Against Pats? Neeeeigh.
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=a3ff26ff-4d01-45b7-9ef2-48556b802d4d

Oh, what, you say your defense is playing well? Don’t think so. You lost 18-10 to the pitiful St. Louis Rams, then survived at home against the Chiefs. Not impressed. You do realize you’ll be facing a championship-caliber team this week in their house, right?

It’s revenge time Sunday night at The Razor, pretty ponies.

 

[Christopher_Price]

Here's a Saturday-afternoon edition of What They're Saying in Denver:

http://www.patsfans.com/price/blog/?q=node/463

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Here's a Saturday-afternoon edition of What They're Saying in Denver:

http://www.patsfans.com/price/blog/?q=node/463

Thanks,
Chris

Always good stuff Chris! If your doing a pre-game article, please post a link, I don't always find your stuff when I get lost on the internet's backroads.