Quick facts: Mike Shanahan is 2-1 versus the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees has been hurt twice against Denver in his career (one of which ushered in the Philip Rivers‘ era). Former Denver WR Keary Colbert posted his best game last season against New Orleans (4 for 74 yards, including one 49 yard reception). RB Michael Pittman was born in New Orleans, LA, and has posted one of his ten 100 yard games against the Saints.

***

The New Orleans Saints were a sexy pick to make the playoffs… Last season, but this season, they have had their moments of brilliance and they’ve had their middle-tier-team moments. In week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers they were able to pick apart a very strong defense. It is of note that the Buccaneers sat starting quarterback Jeff Garcia, mysteriously, following this game. Garcia claimed that he was healthy enough to play in week two, yet backup Brian Griese got the starting job in week two for the Bucs. All of this amidst rumors that Tampa had offered Garcia to the San Francisco 49ers.

The only reason that I mention all of this, is because the Saints were able to beat the Buccaneers, but was it because of the lack of power from the Buccaneers offense? Who is to say, but Garcia’s listed as the third-string quarterback going into week three for the Bucs.

The Saints owned the game most of last week versus the Washington Redskins, but like the Broncos, allowed the opposing team to get back in the game in the second half. However, unlike the Broncos, the Saints ultimately lost.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Injury/practice report from Wednesday – New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Sunday, September 21, 2008.

DENVER BRONCOS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Thoughts: DT Josh Shaw played in the second half despite acquiring an injury earlier in the game that would ultimately require 40 stitches. Wow. Darrell Jackson‘s health is beginning to concern me, not that we don’t have the weapons to compensate. … The story that stands out for New Orleans is RB Deuce McAllister. Now there’s a running back who scares me – a hard runner who will make this defense pay if they don’t tackle him on first contact.

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos traded WR Keary Colbert to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional 4th-5th round draft pick.  The roster spot Colbert left has now been filled.

The Broncos announced Wednesday that they have brought back WR Clifford Russell, who enjoyed an impressive training camp and preseason.  Per club policy, terms of Russell’s contract were not disclosed.

With WR Darrell Jackson still hurting from a calf injury (Jackson did not practice on Wednesday), the Broncos had an obvious need to fill the roster spot with another wide receiver.  Russell will wear #10, leaving practice squad WR Travis Johnson to switch to #12.

No surprise, we heard the rumors yesterday.  Full press release after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

vs.
Broncos (2-0) vs. Saints (1-1)
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Sun, Sep 21, 2008
2:05 PM MDT FOX

Preview | Predictions | Scouting Report
Injury Report | Weather | Tickets

The Denver Broncos (2-0) look to begin the year with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2003 when they host the New Orleans Saints (1-1) on Sunday. Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:05 p.m., and the game will be broadcast by FOX’s No. 1 announcing crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver.

Radio coverage will be provided by 850 AM KOA in Denver. Dave Logan (play-by-play) and David Diaz-Infante (color commentary) will call the game with Andy Lindahl reporting from the sidelines. Simulcast can be heard on Sirius Channel 119. National radio broadcast also available via Sports USA Radio.

During their 39-38 win against San Diego last week, Denver became the third team in NFL history to give up the opportunity for a tie and win a game with a successful two-point conversion. Eddie Royal‘s conversion on a Jay Cutler throw with 24 seconds remaining helped the Broncos begin the season with a 2-0 record in AFC West play for the sixth time in the last seven years. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall had 18 catches (166 yds., TD) against the Chargers, tying for the second-most receptions in a game in league annals. Dating back to last year, Marshall’s 55 receptions in his last five games are the most in NFL history for any five-game period. The Broncos play a Saints team that lost 29-24 at Washington last week. New Orleans took a 24-15 lead into the fourth quarter following Reggie Bush’s 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, but the Redskins scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives late in the game to earn the victory.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Cutler and Royal, post-game. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments.

Saturday’s pre-game/pre-ref controversy winner – Scott:

“You don’t have any thoughs for stopping this Denver Offense? Cuz I’m fresh out of ideas.”

Remember to leave your caption for the top photo. Happy captioning!

WEATHER REPORT – New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Sunday, September 21, 2008.

The early weather forecast looks like it might rain. Stay tuned for the latest weather updates right here….

A big welcome to Horvil Tiki, fellow Broncos fan and blogger. Horvil is here to help us celebrate a very important anniversary for Broncos fans. You can read his stuff at HorvilTiki.com. Take it away, guy…

Hey guy, I is so the honor to makey the guest writ for the Broncotalk. I is fan of the broncotalked. Today is holy day for fan of the Bronco. Many year ago to day, 18 year ago to day there was is the most incredibal time for Broncos. It was the chefs aganst the Broncos on the monday nite footbal. The Steve atwatter, the smile asassind they give him miked for to hear his talk during game. I knows it guy, I seen it. Before play he say guy I know what they gon do he say they is coming up middel I knows it guy I read the plays. The hooge powreful Crispin Okoye he run over so many people guy they all scare of the Nigerial nitemare. Not today guy he not run over any body to day. Ball snapped the atwatter come up to line and makey the most devastat crusht hit on the massiv okoye it send giant roll on hind quart the atwatter not even fall down he stand and look over the crumpeled Okoye and say hey guy I just bawl you up.

(Ed. Note: More Tiki below the video, after the jump).

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

AP Photo

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played during the second week (Sept. 14-15) of the 2008 season, the National Football League informed the Broncos on Tuesday.

Marshall’s selection as AFC Offensive Player of the Week marks the first such award of his three-year NFL career.

During the Broncos’ 39-38 win against San Diego on Sunday, Marshall tied for the second-most catches in a game in NFL history with 18 receptions for 166 yards (9.2 avg.) with one touchdown. Marshall’s reception total, which was double that of the next closest player for Week 2, was the highest single-game total in the NFL in eight seasons (Terrell Owens had a league-record 20 catches for San Francisco vs. Chicago 12/17/00).

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The game of the year so far in this young 2008 NFL season has to be the Denver Broncos’ 39-38 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. It comes as no surprise, then, that the NFL Network will be replaying the game Tuesday night at 9:30 ET/7:30 MT. That’s tonight. Yup, in a few hours. You’re welcome.

Check out the highlights below, too! What a game!

Denver Broncos wide receiver Keary Colbert has been traded to the Seattle Seahawks for an undisclosed 2009 late round draft pick, Foxsports.com reports. The Seahawks employ a decimated receivers corps and are desperate to add talent to their unit. Seattle also signed former ‘Hawk Koren Robinson, most famous for his off-field issues, on Tuesday.

This moves makes sense. I had a feeling they would go after one of the Broncos’ guys, although my money was on Darrell Jackson. The Broncos move most of Colbert’s overloaded contract and get lucky to escape a bad free agent signing. The Seahawks will give Colbert a much better chance to resurrect his career. -Thanks to Kerry for the tip in the comments.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Bill Williamson reports that a source close to the situation indicates that the Broncos are looking to bring back WR Clifford Russell to fill the roster spot.