Only a few hours after I posted that Writers were wanted for BroncoTalk, I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse. Jonathan Douglas has been the main editor/webmaster at My Denver Obsession for months, and he asked if I wanted to join forces.

To sum up the response e-mail quickly: “Hell yes!”

He does a great job and I’m thrilled to have him aboard. New content from both authors can now be found here – he brings a different (although sometimes similar) perspective to Denver Broncos blogging, and this just guarantees the fans will have more content to help them get through the work week and off-season.

A collective Mile High Salute to John, and I’m signing out for a couple of hours… I expect he’ll introduce himself formally to the readers as soon as he can.

Reports indicate that the Broncos have completed the long-rumored trade of DT Gerard Warren. Their trade partner is a team that hasn’t completed a trade with the Broncos since 1993 – the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos received an undisclosed draft pick in return for Warren.

My opinion on this matter is mixed – if Warren didn’t want to come in and compete, then the Broncos did the best move they could. However, he was probably the most talented defensive linemen of all our starters, and our defensive line has looked horrible through two preseason games.

Bottom line: I’m pissed.

This whole thing just reeks of stubbornness. Was Coach Mike Shanahan thinking of what was best for the team when he completed this trade, or was he just focused on moving Warren?

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The aggressive Cowboys defense gave Henry little room to run. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Did Dallas Coach Wade Phillips break the Pre-Season Code of Conduct Saturday night? The story has been crawling all over the Internet ever since Mike Klis of the Denver Post wrote this piece on Sunday morning. Matt Mosley ripped Klis for his story over at Hashmarks. Several other blogs have gotten into the debate, and I wouldn’t call myself a Broncos blogger without jumping head first into this supposed scandal.

First, I’ll let John Lynch say his peace:

I don’t know if Wade’s (ticked) off the Broncos fired him, but it sure looked that way… They came out and game- planned us, blitzing every play. They came after us. It’s no excuse for the way we played. But I think they might have broken the code of ethics for the preseason.

John Lynch is a seasoned pro – a wily vet, if you will, but if there’s an NFL player’s opinion I respect more than many others’ it would be Lynch’s. So there IS something to this. Next I’ll quote Tom Nalen just because it’s so freaking eerie to quote the long-silenced center:

They did blitz a lot but that’s not an excuse. After the first series, we should have been prepared for it. We’ll have to watch the film and learn from it.

I wonder what his voice sounds like…

Anyway, all kidding aside now. I have to say that I completely agree with these guys. The Cowboys came out and destroyed the Broncos. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

I know I’ve said I won’t bore you with technical details regarding the blog anymore… but the tweaks I’ve made over the weekend have got me really excited, so I’m breaking that rule. Again. The sidebars are “cleaner”, and the general layout for the site has a lot of improvements that make the entire site look that much more professional. In fact, the horrid-looking Comments system I had used has been completely overhauled… but more on that later.

I’m looking for help from talented Broncos fans with something to say. Anyone out there interested in contributing to one of the fastest-growing Broncos fan sites on the Web need look no further than here to leave their mark. This is a non-profit fan site, so there wouldn’t be payment involved – but with all the fan support on the forums out there I’m sure there’s someone who is at least curious at this opportunity.

I’m looking for both a News Editor and an Opinions Editor, and anyone who reads frequently knows that these overlap often on the blog… anyone interested will have the opportunity to do anything and everything from breaking down game tape to reporting breaking news stories to venting about something or other Denver Broncos. In other words – they’ll BroncoTalk. For privacy reasons, please e-mail me at BroncoTalk@gmail.com for more information.

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The Cowboys and Broncos game airs on the NFL Network real soon. I’m looking forward to taking a look, but I thought I’d post my thoughts on the day’s events (from what I’ve heard).

READY… SET… EVERYBODY PANIC!!

A lot of Broncos fans out there are going a little nuts after seeing the egg we laid yesterday. While I have reasons to be concerned, I also don’t see this as being truly indicative of things to come.

The Broncos had one of the weirdest and most intense travel schedules I’ve ever seen this past week. Right out of training camp in Englewood, in beds that resemble little more than dorm bunks, the team sets off for San Francisco to play in Monster Park. In the next 36 hours they’re on flights to Denver, then Dallas.

They spend a week in the 100-plus degree heat practicing with the Cowboys (whom I’ve heard were more physical in these “low contact” drills all week). They’re stuck in Texas until the game on Saturday. Then, game day arrives and position-by-position, the Broncos struggled.

I’m not trying to make excuses for the team… ok, maybe I am… but asking a bunch of guys to put in a big effort in a game that means nothing after a week of hell is a difficult thing to do. Most players haven’t spent more than a day or two at home, with their families, in bed, over the past month! Even so, just as the players agree, there’s no excuse.

“There’s no excuse for the way we played,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “If it was the last preseason game I’d be a little more concerned. We have time to make it up. We expect ourselves to get better. It can’t get any worse than it did tonight.”

Champ, I think you’re right, there.

John Lynch had a few words to say, too… but his were directed at Dallas Coach Wade Phillips, who may have excessively game planned for this pre-season game.  Mike Klis of the Denver Post agrees with Lynch.

I think all of these “excuses” are valid – our team was injury-riddled, tired, and lacking focus.  But I DON’T want to hear this coming from the players’ mouths.  We just come off sounding like big crybabies.  Give the Cowboys credit – they came to play, and if that helps them get ready for their season they’re not going to hold anything back at our expense.

I’ll have my breakdown of the game later tonight or tomorrow. Signing out for a little while…

ESPN reports that the MRI taken on running back Travis Henry‘s knee came back negative. No significant structural damage was found, and Coach Mike Shanahan‘s assessment of a first-degree knee sprain (the least serious type of knee sprain) was confirmed through the test.

Simply great news for the Broncos.  No news on how long he’ll be sidelined, but I wouldn’t expect much more action out of Henry until Week 1 in Buffalo. More as it comes.

Ekuban’s Achilles injury ends his 2007 season. (Photo by Dave Einsel/Getty Images. From Yahoo! Sports)

A bad night for the Broncos became worse when they lost two of their starters in the second quarter of their 31-20 loss to the Cowboys. Starting DE Ebenezer Ekuban was slated to be the only starter on the Broncos defensive line that would return to his position of the year before – now he won’t be able to do that either. He severely injured his right Achilles tendon, likely tearing it, which would sideline him for the entire season.

“It’s a shame to lose Ebenezer for the year,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s been a real leader for us.”

Meanwhile, the Denver’s offense and all of fantasy football holds its breath, awaiting the results of running back Travis Henry‘s MRI on his left knee. If it is only a sprain, Henry could return to action as soon as Saturday in the Broncos’ third pre-season game against Cleveland. If it is an MCL tear, Henry would likely be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season as well.

To make the running back situation worse, backup Mike Bell went out quickly in the game with a strained left hip.

I can’t remember an off-season being riddled with this many injuries this early. Four tackles on our depth chart are reeling from some injury or another… with Tim Crowder out a few weeks, the defensive end position is now reeling… our depth is being sorely tested this year, and our season’s success is on the line with every new addition to the injury report.

As soon as new comes way, I’ll update you. Looking forward to the NFLN tape so I can review the game. I have a feeling our offensive line wasn’t nearly as dominant as before, the reason behind all of our running and passing woes… we’ll see. If you saw anything worth mentioning last night, of course feel free to post a comment here.

Dallas Cowboys DE Chris Canty (99) reaches up to knock a pass thrown by quarterback Jay Cutler in the first half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum. From Yahoo! Sports)

By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
From Yahoo! Sports

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Over four practices with the Denver Broncos this week, the Dallas Cowboys either held back on defense or figured something out.

Because they sure had no problem getting into the backfield Saturday night.

The attacking, pressure-seeking front being implemented by new Dallas coach Wade Phillips throttled Denver’s starting offense for two quarters, paving the way for the Cowboys to beat the Broncos 31-20 in a preseason game Saturday night.

“To stop these guys, whether it’s the preseason or the regular season, feels pretty good,” said defensive end Marcus Spears, who recovered a fumble and forced a holding call. “We got a chance to make some plays.”

Tony Romo had another strong outing guiding the Cowboys offense, putting his club up 24-6 at halftime before calling it a night. Marion Barber III ran for two touchdowns and Julius Jones had one.

When starters were going head-to-head, Dallas (2-0) flustered Denver quarterback Jay Cutler into going 7-of-13 for only 58 yards. He failed to convert all five third-down chances, leaving the Broncos (1-1) to settle for two short field goals after drives that started in Cowboys’ territory following turnovers.

Even Cutler’s longest completion, a 21-yarder, was a fluke. Rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer, a defensive end in college, tipped it up and right to tight end Daniel Graham instead of swatting it down.

“We just have to learn from this experience and get back to work,” Cutler said. “We’re going to look at some of the pressure they brought us and see where we can beat it, and see what we can do protection-wise to stop them.”

Running back Travis Henry also had little success, gaining 25 yards on 10 carries and losing a fumble on the Broncos 7. He also lost a yard on second-and-5 from the Dallas 18, getting caught from behind by safety Roy Williams. Then Henry went out with a sprained left knee. Backup Mike Bell strained his left hip.

The Broncos suffered a more serious blow with starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban likely tearing his right Achilles’ tendon. The injury probably wipes out his season.

“It’s a shame to lose Ebenezer for the year,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s been a real leader for us.”

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Denver Broncos @ Dallas Cowboys
Saturday, August 18, 5:00 P.M.

[UPDATED INJURY REPORT 14:37] The Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys are set to square off on Saturday, August 18th at 5:00 P.M. in Irving, Texas in both teams’ second pre-season game of the 2007 campaign. Television coverage is provided by CBS (KCNC Channel 4), and the game will re-air on national cable television on the NFL Network on Sunday, August 19th at 2 P.M. PDT.

The two teams have held practices together in Irving over the past week, participating in low contact scrimmages and drills in preparation for tonight’s game.

INJURY REPORT

OUT – DEN – WR Brandon Stokley, T Adam Meadows, T Jacob Rogers, T Ryan Harris, DE Tim Crowder, DE Kenny Peterson, DT Gerard Warren, OLB Warrick Holdman, WR Rod Smith. DAL – DE/OLB Greg Ellis, WR Terry Glenn, T Doug Free, DE Jason Hatcher.

QUESTIONABLE – DEN – WR Javon Walker

PROBABLE – DEN – WR Brandon Marshall, T Matt Lepsis. DAL – WR Terrell Owens

STORYLINES

New Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips will be coaching against his former team Saturday. Phillips was the defensive coordinator for the Broncos from 1989-1992. He was hired as the Broncos Head Coach in 1993 and worked in that role for two years. He was replaced by current Denver head coach Mike Shanahan.

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Unfortunately, I don’t live in Denver or Colorado or any state nearby in fact. That means I don’t have local TV coverage of the Bronco’s. And that means I won’t be able to see our second preseason game tonight against the Dallas Cowboys until tomorrow afternoon when the NFL Network replays the game.

And since I want to watch the game before reading anyone else’s opinions or analysis, I will be imposing an internet-ban on myself from tonight until tomorrow evening. That means no surfing the net, checking email or blogging for 24 hours… ouch!

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