The worst week of the season is upon us, at least for those of us who follow training camp and get to know most of the players a little bit. That time when we must reduce our team down to the 53 members who will go thorugh the regular season. There are 77 players currently on the squad, and we must get rid of 24. As usual, there are closer to 60 that we want to keep than 53, and that last 7 is going to be painful, no matter what. They include some hard choices. Plus, there are historically surprises during these camps. Do you remember Patrick Hape? How about Kyle Johnson? Both players who showed no indication of being on the bubble either in their play or on the posted depth charts, yet both of these players surprisingly bit the dust at the last minute. Who’s going to be the big surprise this year? There are a couple of candidates!
Some of these choices are made for contract reasons, or for special teams performance, which means that many of them are very difficult for us fans, watching the game, to decipher.
That said, I’ve been studying the roster and, now that we’re down to 76 (one more must be cut tomorrow), I’m trying to divine who the remaining 23 players to go will be.
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Hey folks, first day of the semester for me… sorry for the sparse posts… it will remedy itself as I get used to this new schedule over the next few days. I want to thank Ian from BDB for helping out in the meantime. Also, stay tuned for some big announcements soon!
- Jay Cutler, I am your fan. [Rocky Mountain News]
- Despite injured digits, Elvis Dumervil and Marquand Manuel should be ready to go for the season opener. Starters are done until Week 1. [Denver Post]
- The team’s blog discusses the new depth chart, where Brett Kern sits at punter and Nate Webster has the starting Mike linebacker job. Check the full version here. [DenverBroncos.com]
- Samie Parker headlines the team’s first cuts – also gone are Lorne Sam and Josh Mallard. [BroncoTalk]
- Some praise, some not, from our old friend Woody Paige. [DPO]
- Michael Pittman just wants a shot after an impressive Friday showing. [DPO]
- There were positives to be had from Friday’s exhibition match, but tackling still needs fixing. [DPO]
CREATE-A-CAPTION
Nate Jackson celebrates his TD. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments… Yesterday’s winner after the jump.
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The Denver Broncos announced that they have released veteran wide receiver Samie Parker, defensive tackle Josh Mallard and wide receiver Lorne Sam.
Samie Parker came to Denver as a free agent via the Kansas City Chiefs, this was two days prior to the team signing another veteran receiver Darrell Jackson (April 16, 2008). Jackson is expected to start the season opposite rookie Eddie Royal and then Brandon Marshall; once Marshall has returned from his suspension.
Josh Mallard is a bit of a surprise as he finished last season very strongly, playing in only four games but accumulating three and a half sacks as a defensive tackle. During training camp and into preseason Mallard saw time with the first-team defense in passing situations mostly. The Broncos did say that if Mallard were to pass through waivers, they’d be willing to give him another look.
These, along with adding rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell to the injured reserve brings the Broncos down to 76 players; they must be at 75 by tomorrow. So expect news of one more player very soon.
What are the thoughts Bronco fans? Good cuts, bad cuts? Someone you would have like to have seen on this list that wasn’t here?
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
OFFENSE:
Although the offensive starters for the Broncos scored on all three of their first half drives, Jay Cutler seemed off on several early throws in the 1st quarter. Their first drive was a hit and miss endeavor that ended with Matt Prater nailing his first FG attempt from 40 yards out. In the second quarter, Jay bounced back and lead the the first-teamers on an impressive 16 play, 99 yard drive that ended with a Nate Jackson TD. On their next possession, and with only 1:41 left in the half, Jay and Brandon Marshall took the unit on a fast (16 seconds) ride 80 yards for another TD.
Cutler ended the night with 115 yards pass (completing 6 of 13) and scoring 2 TD’s.
The important things to take away from this game are:
* Cutler bounced back nicely from some early misfires.
* We scored on each 1st team possession.
* Cutler ends his 2008 preseason work with zero INTs.
* Our starting O-line didn’t give up a single Cutler sack this preseason.
Patrick Ramsey‘s second unit was less impressive. He did end up with a TD pass to Michael Pittman in the fourth quarter, but he also was repeatedly failed to feel the pressured coming and that eventually resulted in an interception. Our second and third unit drives ended like this: PUNT, PUNT, DOWNS, TD, INT, DOWNS.
Players that impressed me:
* Peyton Hillis – Important 1st down catch when we started our drive from the 1 yard line.
* Cliff Russell – Ended up second in receiver yards behind Marshall and definitely out played Keary Colbert.
* Nate Jackson – Stepped up big time and made plays.
* Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman – All three did well.
* The Future of the Franchise (Cutler/Marshall) – Every time they connect… magic happens.
DEFENSE:
On defense our night was a bit rougher. Versus the run we did very well, with our first unit defenders holding Green Bay to only 23 yards rushing. In fact, the Packers didn’t break 100 total yards rushing and averaged less than 3 yards per carry. With those stats you’d expect a blow out win, but the ground game only tells half the story. In this case it was the Packer’s passing game that tore us up and resulted in this loss. Repeatedly, Aaron Rogers connected with his passers at will. Rogers ended up going 18 of 22 for nearly 200 yards and a TD.
Part of the good run defense and lousy pass coverage might be explained by the extra backs Denver had in the box all night long. That defense works well to stiffen the line, but it relies on your corners to make one-on-one coverage. With Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, you’d think that won’t be much of an issue… however, it was last night.
Another low point was the lack of pressure on the Packer QB’s. When you rush an extra man, you’d expect additional pressure, but that also wasn’t the case. Elvis Dumervil had a sack before leaving with a broken finger, but most of the time Aaron had plenty of time to air it out to his receivers.
To be honest, it reminded me a lot of that terrible Play-off game versus the Steeler’s when our blitz-happy defense got picked apart with quick passing and great blitz pick-up. I’m not necessarily worried, but I think this is something to watch as we get ready for the season.
Time for you to SPEAK UP! What did you see that you like (or didn’t like) last night? Are you more or less impressed with 2008 starters? With cuts coming up…. who stays and who goes?
The Broncos did not escape last night’s game without injury. Both Safety Marquand Manuel and DE Elvis Dumervil injured their hand and will need minor surgery. Dumervil, who had one sack on the night, dislocated and fractured his finger and Manuel fractured his right thumb.
“Man, I’m fine. It’s one of those freak things that happen…. I just told them to snap it into place. It didn’t hurt. It was one of those things where you know you broke it, but I was fine.” — Marquand Manual 8/22/08
And although both players say they plan on being ready for the opening day versus the Raiders, that will be decided based on how their surgery heals and if they can safely play with out aggravating it.
Backup QB Patrick Ramsey was also roughed up on several plays – he has several scrapes near his right elbow. However, he reported losing strength in his throwing arm’s grip which could point to a more severe injury.
“I think, right now, I’m going to be fine. I just couldn’t hang onto the ball, grip it, to throw like I would have needed to. If it doesn’t get any worse I should be OK, or at least I feel that way right now.” — Patrick Ramsey 8/23/08
The Broncos will take a closer look at Ramsey today.
More game coverage coming up…
Another crazy week here in Knoxville. After dealing with the church shooting that made national news last month, yesterday we had a fatal shooting at a local High School (the one my kids will be attending when they get old enough). It’s simply unbelievable how these two events have torn up this community. Please keep the kids from Central HS and their families in your thoughts and prayers – they definitely need it.
After a rather emotionally-charged day yesterday, I’m really looking forward to the distraction of the game tonight. And since we have a Friday night game, I assumed the NFL Network would be covering this live… wrong.
Apparently the National Cheerleading Playoffs are more important than our preseason game, so I’m going to have to wait until midnight (EST) to watch the game. What the heck are Cheerleading Playoffs anyway?!?! You’re the bloody NFL Network… how about showing the NFL fans THE NFL GAMES?
Anyway, here are my thoughts and predictions for this weekend…
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@ 
Packers @ Broncos
Preseason Week 3
Fri, Aug 22, 2008 7PM MDT LIVE
NFL Network Re-Air 10PM MDT
With starters expected to see their most extensive action of the preseason, the Denver Broncos host the Green Bay Packers on Friday in their final home exhibition game of 2008. Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 7 p.m. MDT, and the game will be televised locally on KCNC-TV (CBS 4). NFL Network will provide a delayed broadcast of the game starting at 10 p.m. MDT nationwide. KOA 850 AM will provide radio coverage, which can also be heard on Sirius Channel 140.
After an impressive showing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, the Broncos hope to keep the momentum going in their ever-important third preseason game. Meanwhile, the Packers are looking to bounce back after a rough outing with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, losing 34-6.
With the departure of long time quarterback Brett Favre, some inside and out of the Packers organization are considering this a “must win” game, the hope being that a win will rally fans and teammates around new QB Aaron Rodgers. The Broncos will surely be tested against a squad that beat the Broncos in overtime in 2007.
Weather Report
Kyle’s Five Things to Watch
1. Running Attack – While this new pass-happy offense is exciting, and Jay Cutler is obviously a STUD, I want to see the Broncos’ running game make some ground. Selvin Young and Andre Hall need to step up and pound the rock. I want to see one of these guys make a clear argument for the starting job.
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Shawne Merriman has been causing the Broncos headaches for years now. It’s nice to see him returning the favor to his own team.
After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in March, Merriman admits that he has lingering knee issues. He’s also agreed to an in-season TV deal that has the Chargers front office apparently frustrated.
First, the knee pain. The injury forced Merriman to visit with famed specialist Dr. James Andrews, and rumor has it he and the team will have to make a tough decision about his long term and short term status on the field.
The Chargers and Merriman are weighing their options involving the degree and intrusiveness of surgery Merriman should pursue. Merriman reportedly has a torn PCL and/or loose ligaments in his knee. A thorough, reconstructive knee surgery may be required, which would leave Merriman sidelined for the entire 2008 season. The other option is that he undergo another minor arthroscopic knee surgery, allowing him to play within a few weeks, possibly by the season opener.
The fact that the team is weighing these options at all implies that the more intrusive procedure is needed, and that the team is looking to the scope as a temporary band-aid that would delay the major work until after the season. Again, that’s just speculation, but seems to be a given based on the information.
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- The Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers square off in Week 3 Preseason action tonight… check out the media guide at the Broncos official site. [DenverBroncos.com]
- If there’s such a thing as a ‘must-win‘ preseason game, for the Packers, this is it. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinal]
- Green Bay is getting a boost with the return of Greg Jennings. [ESPN]
- Mike Klis lists his 5 points for tonight’s game… none of which is my #1, which I’ll post later today. [Denver Post]
- The AP’s generic Denver Broncos season preview focuses on Mike Shanahan‘s playoff promise and potential “hot seat” status. [ESPN]
- If the Broncos go anywhere, it will be on the shoulders of Jay Cutler. [ESPN]
- Jim Armstrong isn’t drinking the Kool Aid. (Seriously, he says, “Hold the Kool Aid.”) [DPO]
- In 10 days, the Broncos will be 27 men fewer than now. [DPO]
- Nate Jackson wants to grab this opportunity left by the injured Daniel Graham. [Rocky Mountain News]
- Broncos cheerleader Liz Harris is happy to give back to her high school dance team. [Fort Morgan Times]
BLOG BLITZ
CREATE-A-CAPTION
Lane Kiffin is happy. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma
Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments… Yesterday’s winner after the jump.
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Compared to this time last season, the Denver Broncos have been relatively injury-free. Other than rookie DT Carlton Powell being lost for the season and veteran center Tom Nalen continuing to struggle with knee pain, the most significant loss the Broncos have faced this training camp has been rookie fifth round running back Ryan Torain breaking his elbow and missing up to three months. The Broncos were high on Torain before the injury, and were hoping he could earn the starting spot, and at least become the driving force behind the Broncos’ power running game.
Faced with a decision in the next few weeks on whether to keep Torain on the roster or place him on Injured Reserve, news broke on Thursday that will seriously aid Torain’s case for a roster spot. Bill Williamson of ESPN reports that Torain’s elbow is healing faster than expected, with he and his doctors aiming for a Week Seven debut on October 20 against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
“That is the game that everyone now has circled,” Torain’s agent Troy Asmus said. “It’s really good news…. Ryan is encouraged by this. Now it looks like he may be back for a significant part of the season.”
This is good news, folks. Our depth at running back was beginning to look a bit shaky – one injury to either Selvin Young or Andre Hall and the other is left to carry the full load. With Torain planning on returning for Week 7, the Broncos will gain a boost to their running game heading into the bye and into the second half of the season.
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Published on Mon Aug 25 17:18. 31 Comments |
Tagged: Preseason, roster cuts, Top Stories.