Anticipation
an·tic·i·pa·tion
\(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən\
noun
14th century.

• 1. When a fan peeks at a recently released Denver Broncos schedule and sees opening week- “Monday Night Football Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders.”
• 2. The thought of Champ Bailey going one-on-one against that traitor Javon Walker, shutting him down and shutting him up.
• 3. Getting to see Brandon Marshall going one-on-one against Nnamdi Asomugha.

Enough to raise one’s blood pressure, whether you be a south stander or one of the guys with the silver cones on their shoulders.

It’s not likely that fans will get to see either situation though. Walker is good to go, but, he’ll be at about the same capacity as he was during week 17 (for the Broncos) against the Minnesota Vikings. This creates another scenario, where Bailey will cover another former Bronco, Ashley Lelie AKA Javon Walker 1.0 (who will be fourth on the depth chart for Oakland). Instead of Marshall, Asomugha will square off against Darrell Jackson. To make this game even less exciting, I don’t think there’s a fan in Denver who is anticipating Jackson’s play (except me, maybe). However, please, have no fear, I’ve already played two seasons on Madden ’09 and Jackson is awesome, I swear… Just kidding.

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In 2006, when ESPN took over Monday Night Football, the network went live with several incredible introductions. The Denver Broncos happened to be the subject of two of them. Here is Samuel L. Jackson’s take on the epic rivalry between the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders.

Wow, the power of prose. I wish MNF would get away from stuffing their ABC shows as product placements in these introductions, as they did last season. The Desperate Housewives are not football! Bring back features like this – slams and monologues. Playing something like this as everyone settles into their arm chair is enough to get anyone fired up.

I distinctively recall watching this on the original air date, with my girlfriend and as Jackson wraps up with, “Well are you punk?” She drop-kicks the cat into the television, fist-pumped and screamed, “Yeah!”

Since we’re being a bit nostalgic, let’s share our favorite Raider/Bronco memories in the comments. Mine doesn’t necessarily involve the Broncos, but it does involve Mike Shanahan and Al Davis. Oddly enough, I did not witness the event, but read about the incident that sums up the Shanahan/Davis rivalry perfectly. It’s 1994, pregame, San Francisco 49ers vs. Raiders – Mike Shanahan gives the order to Elvis Grbac to, “Throw the ball right at him (Al Davis).” So after a minor moral dilemma, Grbac, the good soldier, follows orders and misses Davis’ head by inches. Davis made an obscene gesture in Shanahan’s directing in retaliation…. What’s your favorite Raider-hating moment?

Official Injury Report

DENVER BRONCOS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

*Denotes changes from Thursday’s injury report.

Thoughts: Is that a typo next to Ryan Torain‘s name? Methinks yes Confirmed: Yes, yes it was. Count him out. Boss Bailey is actually designated questionable. Jamie Winborn will start if he can’t go. All Raiders listed did not practice Friday, which is a change from the limited participation S Rashad Baker saw Thursday. Javon Walker says he’ll go, but his coach isn’t so sure. He told Oakland-area news outlets Friday that they haven’t made a decision either way.

vs.
Raiders (0-0) vs. Broncos (0-0)
McAfee Coliseum
Mon, Sep 8, 2008
7:15 PM PDT ESPN

For the first time in seven years, the Denver Broncos will open their season on Monday Night Football when they face the Oakland Raiders this week at McAfee Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. PDT, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN, as well as locally on KDVR-TV FOX 31. Radio coverage will be provided by KOA 850 AM (simulcast on Sirius Channel 122), as well as a national feed by Westwood One (Sirius 124).

The Broncos, whose 17-year streak of appearing on Monday Night Football represents the longest such streak in the NFL, look to begin the campaign with a win in their first AFC West contest of the year for the ninth consecutive season. The first part of the season is a key stretch for Denver with the club facing divisional opponents in three of the first four weeks. The Broncos play their first two games (at Oak., vs. S.D.) of the year against divisional foes for the first time in 11 seasons (1997) and only the sixth time in club history.

Denver, which finished the 2007 season with a 7-9 record before posting a 2-2 mark this preseason, faces a Raiders squad that was 4-12 last year and 1-3 in the preseason. The two clubs split the 2007 series, but the Broncos have had recent success against Oakland, posting an 8-2 record against the franchise since 2003.

The Broncos and Raiders look to add another chapter in one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, with each team optimistic for a turn of fate from their respective 2007 campaigns.

Weather Report

Kyle’s Five Keys to the Game

1. Stop the damn run
The Raiders ran for over 350 yards in two games against the Broncos in 2007. They’re eager to let their new tailback, first round pick Darren McFadden, loose on this defense. Last year, the Broncos defense allowed 4.4 yards per carry in the preseason. It was a sign of things to come, as the Broncos allowed 4.6 all year along. In 2008, they only allowed 3.4 ypc in the preseason. The Broncos need the improvement to carry over into Week One against the three-headed running back monster the Raiders employ.

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The Denver Broncos elected team captains after practice Friday, and a mix of old and new will be donning the ‘C’ patch. Quarterback Jay Cutler and cornerback Champ Bailey were elected captains again, joining newcomers tight end Daniel Graham and linebacker D.J. Williams.

Longsnapper Mike Leach was elected as the special teams captain, which Head Coach Mike Shanahan indicated will change week-to-week.

What? No Tom Nalen? It’s more silent-player-bias, I tell ya. All #66 has to do is stare at you and you’ll shape up right quick.

Javon Walker lifts his hand during Raiders camp. (Sara Wolfram/Getty Images)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments.

Yesterday’s winner – jibbons:

“I hope Al pays me before he fires me in a couple of weeks.”

Honorable mentions — LorDog: “Wanna get away?” Danish Denver-fan: Lane Kiffin breaks into tears (of despair) when Al Davis decrees he has 100% job-security.

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

• Ebenezer Ekuban and Boss Bailey expect to play Monday.  [CBS4]
• Boss expands, and DT Nic Clemons discusses his success in the 3-technique.  [Denver Post]
• The offensive line will be tested for ‘a week link.’  [Rocky Mountain News]
• A look at Mike Shanahan “the genius,” his reputation, and expectations.  [DPO]
• Interesting development in the Darrent Williams case.  [CBS4]
• UNC’s student paper argues why Shanny is on the hot seat.  [The Mirror]
• Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist breaks down Cleveland-Dallas.  [PFT]

RAIDERS WEEK

• Ex-Bronco Javon Walker has every intention of suiting up Monday night.  [DPO]
• The Broncos say they’re ready for the best Walker has to offer.  [RMN]
• The Raiders can’t wait to see what JaMarcus Russell can do.  [ESPN]
• Oakland once dominated Monday Night Football.  [DPO]
• Ashley Lelie on the Broncos: “I thought I paid my dues.”  [DPO]

DENVER BRONCOS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

*Denotes changes from Wednesday’s Injury Report.

Thoughts: No changes for the Broncos, which has me beginning to worry about Louis Green. He serves as Boss Bailey‘s main backup, who is also listed, but hasn’t missed practice time yet this week. Former Bronco Javon Walker didn’t practice – he might be a scratch for Monday. Raiders added safety Rashad Baker, who wasn’t listed Wednesday.

UPDATE: Apparently undrafted rookie tight end Brett Pierce also reached an injury settlement and was waived. Best of luck, Brett.

The Denver Broncos have officially released fullback Cecil Sapp, the Denver Post reports. Sapp was initially placed on Injured Reserve to start the season, and has been working with the Broncos to reach an injury settlement and play elsewhere.

“I’ve got about three teams interested but I have to get healthy first,” Sapp told the Post.

Sapp suffered a strained hip flexor in the Broncos’ final preseason game in Arizona. The Colorado State product was originally signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He became the starting fullback for the Broncos in 2007 after Kyle Johnson was among the surprise cuts out of training camp.

“Cecil is excited to get his release and start playing for another NFL team,” Sapp’s agent David Canter said.

Cecil “The Diesel” was a monster in college, but never quite reached that level in the pros. He was good on offense and even better on special teams, but never truly “great.” Best of luck to you, Cecil.

(Over/under on when Sapp signs with the Texans is preliminarily set at 35.5 hours).

Will there be a season opening blackout in San Diego on Sunday? Possibly.

Multiple news outlets are reporting that the San Diego Chargers have yet to sell out their 2008 opening home game against the Carolina Panthers. The Chargers have received a 24-hour extension in order to get the word out that tickets are available.

“We’re doing everything we can to get the word out that we still have tickets for sale. We think that a lot of fans just don’t realize we still have tickets available,” said Chief Operating Officer Jim Steeg. “Our streak of 30 consecutive regular season and postseason sellouts is definitely in jeopardy.”

The Broncos, in comparison, have sold out 293 consecutive home games, good for third in the league behind Pittsburgh and Washington.

This is the first game of the season – THE FIRST GAME – for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. How in the world does a fan base let this happen? Chargers fans should be embarrassed. Plop them down 10 spots lower to the bottom of this list, where they belong.

• Chargers Scrambling to Sell Tickets [ProFootballTalk]
• NFL’s best fans [ESPN]