Post Season Catch-up

As I have milked my wounds at the embarrassing loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII with a final score of 43 – Seattle, 8 – Denver I am finally able to write about the postseason and the developments around the league. As the end of March approaches and news of Champ Bailey being released sets in, as well as Eric Decker signing a five-year $36.25 million contract with the New York Jets on March 12, 2014. With the first Bronco to go on March 11 being Guard Zane Beadles who signed a 30 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maybe no Super Bowl contender there but hey who can pass up 30 million? With the retirement of Chris Kuper, the cap money freed up enough for John Elway and Head Coach John Fox to move fast signing Safety TJ Ward to a 23 million 4 year contract, Defensive End DeMarcus Ware to a 3 year 30 million contract and in the most surprising move Cornerback Aqib Talib to a 6 year 57 million contract.
In true fashion from Bill Belichick, the drama in signing Aqib Talib was the controversial Wes Welker hit knocking out Talib in the AFC Championship Game, infuriating in Patriots coach. Belichick of course attempted to call the hit illegal, but the NFL ruled otherwise. Talib holds no grudges and believes Welker did nothing wrong. No drama there, thank goodness as they are teammates now. 

The Broncos are also hoping to keep several starters that ended the last season on injured reserve back in the lineup. Defensive end Derek Wolfe, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Chris Harris and safety Rahim Moore all who started for Denver in 2013 and ended the season on injured reserve.

So are the Broncos looking at Wide Receivers in the upcoming draft? Currently we have Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas, only problem there both of their contracts expire next year. However the Broncos retained Andre Caldwell and Emmanuel Sanders, both of whom played reserved roles last year. And Sanders will be able to fill multiple roles. Reportedly the Broncos are still interested in Moreno, but so far nothing has been offered. Of course we have tight end Julius Thomas, so our offense is still looking pretty good, with the hopes of everyone staying healthy, including our starting Quarterback Peyton Manning. There is competition coming straight from the practice squad, Nathan Palmer and Greg Wilson and reserve-future signee Jordon Norwood. Norwood coming from Cleveland had 36 receptions for 405 yards and a touchdown in 16 games during the 2011-2012 seasons. It may be unlikely Elway is done with Wide Receivers, but it does seem with Caldwell and Sander resigned we are set. So bring on the Draft.

Other News around the League

It is with deepest regret that Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson passed away at the age of 95, the news was announced Tuesday March 25, 2014 by the Bills. Wilson was the longest active owner in the NFL and inducted into the Pro-Football hall of fame in 2009. He was also co-founder of the American Football league. Wilson was a World War II veteran; he purchased the Buffalo Bills in 1959 making the Bills one of eight original American Football teams which also included the Denver Broncos. Ralph Wilson will truly be missed as one of the true American Football Founders and leaders. May he Rest in Peace.

Injury Impacts Going into Arrowhead

Broncos Injury Watch

Several players left New England in worse shape than they arrived in, concerning not only the coaches, but also the fans. After all next week we are off to Arrowhead Stadium to play the KC Chiefs again and the last thing we need is our preeminent players out. As it turns out Interim Head Coach Jack Del Rio has some positive news to report on the injuries some of our players took in last night’s game. Running Back Knowshon Moreno is being listed with a bruised ankle, which transpired late in overtime after Moreno set his career highs with 37 attempts and 224 yards on the day. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie injury was to his shoulder on the final play of the first half. He was initially likely to return to the game, however it was later announced he would be out for the remainder of the game. As of right now both players are listed as day to day.

Speaking Monday morning Del Rio stated that both the injuries that Moreno and Rodgers-Cromartie suffered against New England would not put them out of warrant for a prolonged period of time. Del Rio did not give any details on Rodgers-Cromartie return but said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Moreno back at practice by the weeks end.

Del Rio also added some positive updates in regards to cornerback Champ Bailey and tight end Julius Thomas, both were listed as questionable for Sundays game and neither suited up to play against New England. Making the decision that both were questionable all week, Del Rio and the others felt it was in the best interest to keep them rested for one more week. Personally I think it was a good call, we have made it thus far through the season without Champ Bailey (I know it’s hard to hear, but he just isn’t recovering like he has in the past). Julius Thomas on the other hand is 2nd among the NFL tight ends in touchdown reception, currently at 10; his yards are at 590 and Y/G 59.0. In addition to Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Knowshon Moreno, Demaryius Thomas is one of our key weapons in Peyton Manning’s offence and having him healthy and ready for the KC game on Sunday is crucial. Del Rio felt confident that both Bailey and Thomas would be back for the trip to Arrowhead stadium. Just released 

early Tuesday morning the news is not as optimistic for defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (who was waiting on test results), ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has reported that Vickerson has dislocated his hip and will be out at least six weeks, most likely the rest of the season. Vickerson injured his hip in OT and at this time he is not expected to undergo surgery. Vickerson has started in all 11 games this season with 18 tackles and his first 1st sack of the season was Sunday night against Tom Brady.

KC Injury Watch

On the flip side it looks as if KC star pass-rusher Justin Houston will  likely miss Sunday's 2nd showdown due to his right injured elbow, in which he dislocated in last week’s loss against the San Diego Chargers, team and league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Houston was scheduled to have an MRI on Monday, but due to swelling in his elbow the MRI has been postponed. His MRI was finally completed on Tuesday. 

The Chiefs, who we now once again hold the same 9-2 record with, could also be without their other star. Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali may miss our big rematch this Sunday December 1st. According to Andy Reid the Chiefs coach, Hali suffered a slight ankle sprain against San Diego, and he may have to sit this game out.

Both Houston and Hali went to the Pro Bowl last season and between the two have 20 sacks this season. But the pass-rushing dynamic duo whose main goal was to take out Peyton Manning two weeks ago failed to even get near him and our Broncos handed the

Chiefs their first loss of the season. 

Frank Zombo and Dezman Moses took over for Houston and Hali in KC’s second loss against the chargers. It is assumed that is who will play this Sunday.

When Houston appeared in the Chiefs locker room on Monday, his arm was tightly bound and in a sling, he was also instructed not to say anything. This looms as KC gets ready to face Denver for the second time and after losing 2 games straight.

With the dynamic duo out against our offence, can we hold KC at Arrowhead? We know Vickerson will not be with us, but Del Rio is confident that Champ Bailey will be back and Von Miller is making his comeback. We need to keep Manning protected and make sure our offence stays on top. Will this be a challenging game? Absolutely, but we CAN go home with a win. So I will be keeping an eye on that injury report for both teams and here we go into week 13!

As for the Patriots game, it’s over, it stung, and now we have new challenges we need to prepare for. We still have the playoffs, which I am sure we will meet Brady again.

Standings for the Denver Broncos from nfl.com as of 11/26/2013
Division AFC West #1
Conference #1
League #2 (behind Seattle)

More to come, Happy Thanksgiving! 

~ K@tes

The 4th Quarter's Defining Image, Manning Down

Tonight as the two minute warning hit, the Broncos still in possession of the ball and up by eight points, we all stopped breathing for a minute as San Diego's Corey Liuget went below the knees and took Peyton Manning down. Manning having just completed a 9 yard pass to Demaryius Thomas was struggling to get up. If your heart didn't drop, and think, or scream GET UP, GET UP, I am not sure if you realize how serious this could be. The clock stopped, a time out was called and the medical personal ran out onto the field to check the damage on our QB. Just to clarify in the NFL rule book, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 (e) A rushing defender is prohibited from forcibly hitting in the knee area or below a passer who has one or both feet on the ground, even if the initial contact is above the knee. However in note 2 it also states: It is not a foul if the defender swipes, wraps, or grabs a passer in the knee area or below in an attempt to tackle him. 

So the question was it legal? No penalty was called and it seems as if the refs went with the exception. I personally disagree.

 

If you have been following the Broncos this year, Manning has been on the injury report since week 7, and a lot of speculation went around as he and several other players were given a day off in week eight before our match-up with the Redskins. Much of the attention went to Manning missing practice for the first time since becoming the Broncos star QB, both Coach Fox and Manning stating ankle problems as the reason for the day off. Coming off the BYE, Manning stated he was feeling better, but as he was sacked twice in the lower area in tonight’s game, the much needed rest on his ankles may not be enough. Monday Manning will go in for his second MRI in as little as three weeks. With the big game against KC next week and an excellent shot at a Super Bowl win, the team, fans and Manning are hoping for nothing but a normal MRI.

So what does this mean for next week? It’s the game we have been waiting for all season, the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. We will host the Chiefs at home and Manning is not looking to miss out on this game. Feeling sore, and right now our superstar QB has no intentions of being sidelined. Thinking positive and looking at this from an outside perspective, Manning stayed in the game, he is a fighter. After all he endured throughout his surgeries and has come through superseding his previous MVP years, proves he is a fighter. After the take down Manning did what needed to be done, he got that 1st down, keeping focus on the game and not his pain. That 1st down gave us our eighth win, ending the game at 28-20 and moving our record to 8-1.

As week 11 begins and news about the injuries from tonight game and the MRI results on Manning are released, Broncos fans - Keep the Faith! One thing going forward Manning needs to be better protected, in the last 3 games Manning took some hard sacks, no excuses he is our QB and his protection needs to be tightened up. We need Manning and our weapons healthy; the next 3 games (KC, NE, and KC) are important games and will challenge us at every level.

So for tonight, here’s to a win, a healthy report for our players and the game of the season next week! Keep that Mile High Pride shinning fellow Bronco Fans!



K@tes

Broncos Injury Report WK 8

Broncos Injury Report WK 8

NAME                   POSITION     INJURY  WED. THU.  FRI.  GAME STATUS
Ayers, Robert          DE                  Shoulder   FP      FP      FP        Probable
Bailey, Champ       CB                  Foot        DNP   DNP  DNP     Out
Decker, Eric           WR                 Toe          DNP   FP      FP        Probable
Dreessen, Joel         TE                  Knee        DNP   LP      FP       Probable
Franklin, Orlando  T                    Ankle       DNP   LP      LP        Questionable
Kuper, Chris            G                   Ankle       DNP   DNP   LP        Questionable
Manning, Peyton     QB                Ankle       DNP   FP      FP         Probable
Phillips, Shaun        DE                Hamstring DNP   LP      FP         Probable
Unrein, Mitch           DT                Groin        LP     FP       FP         Probable
Welker, Wes              WR               Ankle       DNP  LP       FP         Probable
Woodyard, Wesley     LB                Neck       LP      FP       FP         Probable

Practice Status

DNP = Did not participate in practice
LP = Limited Participation in Practice - Less than 100% of a player's normal repetitions
FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions
Out = Player w ill not play
(-) = Not Listed = No practice status available
Game Status
Out = Player w ill not play
Doubtful = 25% chance a player w ill play
Questionable = 50% chance a player w ill play
Probable = 75% chance a player w ill play
(-) = Not Listed - No game status available