November 10, 2008 4:15 PM
Broncos beat writer Jeff Legwold
Mark_Wolf Is Peyton Hillis the guy at running back for the moment?
Jeff_Legwold They'll bring some others in, they were trying to decide and work through the paperwork and all that this morning, should hear something more later. They practice this afternoon. But Hillis would certainly be the guy who knows the offense the best at the moment if Selvin Young can't play.
Mark_Wolf From jbowen43: What is Cecil Sapp doing right now?
Jeff_Legwold He's had some workouts, but some teams worried about his injury risk. Houston would be the best fit for obvious reasons, but they haven't shown much inclination to sign him to the roster.
horseuuman Who most likely would they bring in Mike Anderson or Mike or Tatum Bell
Cutler6 Hey, what do you expect from the broncos this week? Although nice win against the browns, the broncos still look like team in disarray that is hard to say/trust anything good from.
Jeff_Legwold Initially, it was none of the above. Again, at this point in the year the risk in bringing in a player that hasn't been with another team for a while is he gets hurt quickly and the team has to pay him and he's unable to play. mike bell got hurt in a short stint in houston and they cut him because he had come in out of shape.
Jeff_Legwold This week is a tough, tough match up. matt ryan having one of the best rookie seasons in a long time and michael turner gives the falcons a big-time run game, which is a problem for the Broncos defense. They didn't cure their problems in cleveland, they just feel a little better going to work this week.
Cutler6 I feel part of the problem with the broncos is the fact that they have been bring in players during the season. Even though I know pretty much all teams do that, I feel as if the broncos are doning it far more extensively, and have a different motive (trying new players, because the players they hav
NWbroncofan this team still doesn't look like a playoff team. a soft choker defense by cleveland and a few lucky dropped int's helped. but the d was porous.
Jeff_Legwold All teams work out a lot of guys during the year, four or five a week, to keep their rankings current so that when they do have an injury, they know who they want to call first. usually teams bring in a position group a week during the season. the broncos have had to sign a lot of these guys because of their injuries. so, yes, they have signed some of those players and that is never a good sign about the way things are going. because players you work out during the season are unsigned by 32 teams, which means they are down the rankings some.
chet What's the status of Webster? Will he be starting or will we see more of Nico K.?
Jeff_Legwold The defense, even when everybody was healthy was struggling some. The injuries make that only worse. However, I will say that they have done better with a more simplified approach in the last two games -- but the personnel is not what they hoped it would be. they are set to play three backup linebackers, a backup safety and a backup corner...nobody's going to play great with that mix.
Jeff_Legwold Webster had a grade 2 knee sprain and that's a few weeks...
SuperNico What do you think the Bronco's are going to do at the RB position, start Hillis, sign a FA?
NWbroncofan agreed. i saw last night that the front o-line for the giants have played together (ie no injuries) for 25 games.
Jeff_Legwold They'll have to sign somebody. they would hope to start young at some point, but that injury is really bothering him. so hillis would be the logical starter at this point, but they have four days of practice to see what they can come up with.
NWbroncofan no injuries=consistant play=wins
horseuuman Any ideas on who they will bring it for RB?
Jeff_Legwold Injuries always a huge. the colts last season, with some 80-some games lost to starters and still finished 13-3, did the best job in recent memory over-coming injuries, but most teams get derailed pretty fast with three or four major ones, or just one if it happens to be the quarterback.
NWbroncofan is prevention of injury a matter of proper training or is it just a certain "knack" a guy has to have?
Jeff_Legwold there are many choices...vernand morency is a name that keeps coming up for at least one choice.
chet Considering the cirumstances the last two games, the defense hasn't been that miserable. Turnovers have really hurt us. What do the Broncos need to do to return to the playoffs and most importantly the big game?
Jeff_Legwold depends on the injury, some soft tissue injuries can be the result of poor conditioning -- many are not, but some are -- but fractures and ligament type injuries can be a result of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a lot of big, fast people on the field these days,
NWbroncofan we need some big fast people.
Jeff_Legwold They have to, in my opinion, continue to nurture and develop young players. build their playoff team from within. they've tried to purchase impact and they havn'e gotten their money's worth. this team's best players are the home-grown ones. ryan clady and superb example...he could be offensive rookie of the year with what he's done.
Mark_Wolf From the internet: Torain was intentionally injured. He was mixed up in a pile and the Browns player kept bending him backwards. He was down. The whistle had blown. This was not a legitimate football injury. I played a lot of football and you know when you are in a position to hurt someone.
Jeff_Legwold Perhaps so. but most injuries in the pile are of that type, it's why you see players so internt on getting out from under that mess, because they know what's coming.
NWbroncofan are the injuries scheme related? we seem to be pounding the ball more than in the past, with very few one ciyt and upfield runs.
Cutler6 I was and still am very high on Woodyard, he also played safety in college, I hope when DJ does get back , maybe the puy Woodyard at strong side and Winborn in the middle
chet Do ou think the economy, coupled with the team's performance will impact the number of season ticket renewals?
NWbroncofan i loved woodyards passion. getting is guys face, runnin amuck.
Jeff_Legwold Most injuries can't be tracked to one scheme or another. though some would say that a spread offense, because of the way the players are aligned keeps players out of the high traffic areas in the middle of the field limits some, but the quarterback gets hit far more, so there is that aspect.
Jeff_Legwold woodyard likely too small for the strong side -- he's a former college safety -- and weighed about 218, 220 in his senior season at kentucky. they like what he's done, but he probably has to play off the ball.
Jeff_Legwold The Broncos are like every team in the league right now, they have plenty of concerns about the economic downturn on all fronts -- season tickets, sponsorships, etc... But every team in the league has a wary eye training on the market right now. owners have other businesses for the most part that fuel their football teams as well.
Mark_Wolf With all the calls for the spread, I'd wondered about Jeff's point that the QB is set up to take a pounding. How much impact is that on the Broncos' thinking?
SuperNico Jeff, How much do you think we will see of Larsen at LB? After all he will most likely be playing alot at FB with Hillis playing HB.
tparfet Has Hillis been declared the starting HB?
NWbroncofan whats your take on marshalls glove of love incident?
Jeff_Legwold With darrell hackney at the backup spot -- he has never taken a snap in a regular-season game -- they don't want cutler to take any un-necessary hits, but they'd probably feel that way no matter who the backup is, it's just more pronounced now.
Cutler6 Woddyard is listed at 230 on the roster, and heck Zach Thomas was said to be to small for the middle LB position. I think that is one of the fallaceis of the NFL, you need to be a litte quicker on the strong side also, because you have to cover the TE some.
NWbroncofan maybe just silly fantalk but i like hackney a lot more than pat flimsey
NWbroncofan we do get burned by the Te out route, remember KC?
Jeff_Legwold at the risk of being just another old geezer covering the league for the long time, i liked the barry sanders method of celebration the best -- hand the ball to the official and make any statements you'd like to make after the game. i understand what brandon wanted to do, but if he takes the penalty and the browns go on to score because they ended up getting the ball at the 45, a lot fewer people would have remembered his statement and more would have likely characterized it as something else.
Jeff_Legwold i didn't say woodyard was too small to play linebacker in the nfl, i said he's more suited to the strong side and not a better choice for the strong side than winborn.
GuyinCognito brandon shouldn't be making any statements in the end zone ohter than just scoring, he's still rattled by Joey Porter
Jeff_Legwold that would be more suited to the weak side...typing not my strong point apparently...
NWbroncofan or is that your weak point?
Jeff_Legwold maybe my middle point...
sandmn are the broncos working out any free agent RBs this week or have they already?
GuyinCognito the super bowl teams were too worried about winning the game instead of how to celebrate a touchdown
NWbroncofan you know, cuz ocho cinco is doing great this year...
Guyincognito: and TO
Jeff_Legwold they've been in contact wirh some folks, but didn't work anybody out formally this weekend, they have worked some guys out in weeks past. they may bring some in tuesday if they don't make a decision today.
enjoying_the_ride Jeff...seems like the Broncos really struggle drafting defensively(at least recently). Do you think that changes with the "new front office"?
GuyinCognito There's always Tatum Bell
NWbroncofan i think the only guys who can really celebrate are o-linemen who recover fumbles in the endzone. dance baby dance.
tparfet What is the status of Sapp? He knows the system and can play both HB and FB.
GuyinCognito or linemen who run for 60 yard TDs
sandmn or dayne . . . he was almost the starter a couple seasons ago.
NWbroncofan back flip.
Jeff_Legwold they've always had a pretty good scouting department, but they have to start keeping the young guys out of camp. they did the last couple years, especially this year, when 10 rookies were on the opening day roster, more than in any other year under shanahan.
Mark_Wolf What's the key to beating the Falcons?
NWbroncofan no turnovers. run well.
NWbroncofan suspect linebackers.
GuyinCognito I don't know they have a great running game and their passing is better than I thought it would be
Jeff_Legwold if michael turner pounds away at their defense, it's a long day. also their offense can't consistently put the defense in bad spots, they are going to have to find a way to keep the ball some and protect the defense without the kind of run game they're used to. might be plenty of shorter routes in the passing game.
Cutler6 Well unfortunately we have DJ on the weak side, and moving him may not be the best choice. I just would rather see the best 11 players on the field, and not see a potential gem waste away behind another good player
GuyinCognito it'll be another high scoring affair
NWbroncofan is scheff gonna be 100%?
Jeff_Legwold Likely not all the way, yet, that's a tough, tough injury...it lingers for a while.
GuyinCognito plus they got a good kicker i heard
Jeff_Legwold kicker may indeed be familiar to folks...
Mark_Wolf Yeah, what's his name again????
NWbroncofan yeah, i was worried when he fell- came down on the leg, thats all groin.
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GuyinCognito scheffler was playing on all guts on Thursday I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did
GuyinCognito Brandon Marshall should take notes on playing through pain
NWbroncofan graham looked good though.
Mark_Wolf You wrote on Saturday that the injuries make it even more important for the Broncos to avoid turnovers. Can you elaborate?
GuyinCognito When Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey were in the lineup guts was never a question
Jeff_Legwold part of the issue is when you walk around or even jog you feel pretty good and then you try to stride it out and all of a sudden it hits you that it doesn't feel much better than it did two weeks ago.
GuyinCognito Maybe that's why I bought McCaffrey mustard
NWbroncofan i have a feeling Mr. Royal will be the same type of character guy.
NWbroncofan after the mold of r harrison too.
GuyinCognito I've never heard Royal act like a drama queen yet
NWbroncofan notice his endzone celebration? thats right, there was none.
Jeff_Legwold if the offense continues to turn the ball over, especially in its own end of the field, then it consistently puts a defense already limping in the worst position possible. an opposing offense has 30, 40 yards to go for a touchdown instead of 70 of 80. it's just a matter of protecting the ball and your own defense with a little more consistency on offense. the broncos have to take care of their defense right now. they can't slug it out on a short-field all day and force field goals, it's just not going to happen.
GuyinCognito it should be a fun ride for the rest of the season, I think the Chargers game isn't as impossible as everyone thinks
GuyinCognito I never thoght I'd be cheering for KC for any reason but I was hopingthey would've beaten the chargers at home
NWbroncofan although, i dont mind a bit of attitude. b marsh is b marsh. i loved it last year when he threw snow all over the place. i just hope he can be a professional and know when not to pull crap.
golfercmo how much of the defense having bad tackling is caused by NOT hitting or tackling as much in practice? along the same lines, how much of the fumbling and turnovers could be attributed to the same?
Jeff_Legwold they're on fumes in kansas city right now. i think they had seven guys leave the field with injuries at some point sunday. thigpen playing a little better at quarterback right now for them.
NWbroncofan and having a week of during the bye week after playing terribly?
GuyinCognito attitude is always good to have but at the right time just like that jaguar flexing his muscles after a sack when they were losing 21-7 to the Bengals?
NWbroncofan yeah. when you are losing and make a good play just get back to work.
Jeff_Legwold most coaches dread hitting in practice too much in the salary cap era. so most of it is getting in position and players wrap up or simply "thump'' as the coaches call it, but don't go to the ground or anything. no team could hit every day of every week in practice any more and win.
NWbroncofan i think KC will start to peak about the time Denver is a force in the NFL
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NWbroncofan i look forward to future games, 09, 10, 11,
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GuyinCognito well that's the way it should be in the AFC West, San Diego needs to go back to being a doormat
jack_carlson are we going to have a running back by the atlanta game?
vijaynyu Any news on which running back the Broncos will sign this week?
NWbroncofan and oakland to being a CFL exchange team.
Jeff_Legwold they're going over their options at running back. they'll likely have another one fairly soon.
GuyinCognito Is there any other team the Broncos own more than the Cleveland Browns?
Mark_Wolf From myerda00: One back set with Hillis and Pope. Spenser could be emergency. Do not run Jay too much, if he is hurt, turn out the lights. I REALLY hope Chad Jackson is ready. The spread with Brandon's, Eddie, Tony, and Chad would be interesting. Plus Daniel over the middle and Payton on swings.
NWbroncofan we do have a good history of pooping on the browns... but it doesnt result in sucess.
vijaynyu Do they have any real chance against the Falcons this week? How are they going to stop Michael Turner?
Jeff_Legwold If they don't keep turner from romping, they won't win. pretty simple deal.
GuyinCognito it's not just Turner but their passing game is good
vijaynyu It was reported this morning that Champ might be back. That would help a lot with Roddy White. May be the Broncs only chance.
jcriscio what is the answer at RB?
jack_carlson any chance that champ could be back this week?
Jeff_Legwold It would surprise me greatly if champ were back this week, especially on an artificial surface inside the georgia done.
NWbroncofan i guess im just saying beating the browns hasn't historically led to further success which is what we would all want with the atlanta turkeys coming up.
NWbroncofan i actually like having paymah out rheir. less chance of bly being picked on. not that i dont want champ back. just sayin...
GuyinCognito true but it's just like the colts dominating the broncos in the playoffs and then them losing to the patriots.
vijaynyu Paymah has been better than expected in man, so maybe they could do without Champ for one more week. Frankly with Oakland after that, they could hold him out until the Jets game.
GuyinCognito The falcolns game is winnable if we score 50 points
Mark_Wolf How will the injuries affect the game-planning this week?
GuyinCognito it'll be all 5-WR sets all the time this sunday for the Broncos
NWbroncofan if we do make a playoff run, a healthy champ would be key.
NWbroncofan is c-jack gonna be ready?
GuyinCognito we need to the shoot and shooot offense
Jeff_Legwold it just makes them have to do a little more of the just-in-case planning to cover for people who may not be able to play at all or not for very long. much like when they went through the three wide receiver, two tight end look against the browns with no running back. they planned for that and ended up using it when young left the game just before halftime.
vijaynyu How is Selvin?
jack_carlson how is scheffler doing?
Peter_in_SD Cutler's best games have been when he was in the shotgun 70% of the time - why not put the game in his hands and run an occasional draw from spread formation?
Jeff_Legwold he is still hurting. a difficult injury he may not be able to shake all the way until the season's almost over or in the offseason. scheffler can play some, but is not full speed.
NWbroncofan how about Clady? what a stud.
GuyinCognito is maurice clarett available?
eltrym2 why not use hackney as a fullback ?
gfdaman who are the broncos looking at bringing in at RB?
Peter_in_SD oh please clarret is in prison (or should be)....
thevealchop no clarett
jcriscio Does PJ Pope or Cory Boyd have a chance at starting this week?
GuyinCognito well these are desperate times
Jeff_Legwold because defenses know you're not going to run, so they concentrate on throwing the quarterback on the ground. that's a lot of risk to take with cutler at the moment.
gfdaman Pope has similiar size to Torain - does this mean he'll be counted on to take that role over?
thevealchop no doubt
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Peter_in_SD Jeff - what about the game plan the first 3 weeks - that wasn't risking Cutler?
gfdaman I meant Boyd has similiar size to Torain
eltrym2 Hackney and cutler could be the "reverse wildcat formation
jack_carlson yes, we have to run some of the time
NCrimarco I just joined the chat and i was wondering whats going on with the running back situation
GuyinCognito the running back situation is a mess
NWbroncofan in the first 3 weeks the run was still a legitamate threat, now we are talking about running our backup qb.
GuyinCognito terrell davis might have to come back
NCrimarco is anyone going to be signed
vijaynyu The first three weeks Denver ran the ball much better. The Broncos need to run the ball if for no other reason that giving the defense some rest. They will not win if the Falcons have the ball for 40 minutes.
gfdaman Pope is similiar to Selvin Young
NWbroncofan reverse wildcat! brialliant! whos gionna throw it? short guy who cant see over the line? or franchise qb?
Jeff_Legwold they'll sign somebody, but to get somebody in Week 10 who is currently undigned and expect them to have major impact is unlikely.
gfdaman Cory Boyd is similiar to Ryan Torain does this mean Denver won't bring anyone else in
thevealchop Hey, Jeff... who represents the biggest challenge to the team these remaining games? And what's a realistic record, given some of the losses we've seen so far?
jcriscio Who will start at running back this week?
NWbroncofan either cory boyd or D. hackney,
NWbroncofan just kidding. but not.
Jeff_Legwold tough to win on the road at this point with atlanta, carolina and the jets still among the road trips. if they keep it to 9-7 or so, that could still win the division if one of those wins is the last week against s.d. the chargers have pitt, indy and atlanta over the next three weeks.
NWbroncofan i am now a pitt indy and atl fan.
NCrimarco do you think there is a chance of cory boyd starting
GuyinCognito they need to win one road game to have a chance but which one is winnable?
NWbroncofan not so much atl. next monday.
NWbroncofan +ny.
eltrym2 The alternative is larsen at fullback hillis at tailback and cutler at qb --- I maybe we need to bring back Quinin Griffin ----
thevealchop how bad is the rb situation? dire?
GuyinCognito dire is really optimisitc
jack_carlson I am not as pessimistic. I think the defense will shape up when the injured guys come back
GuyinCognito how RBs on IR?
vijaynyu I don't think the Jets game is winnable either. I think their best hope is to win the remaining 3 home games and then hope SD implodes, which may happen if SD loses the next 3.
Shayne What about the LB's, any hope there?
GuyinCognito the defense will shape to what it was before they were out, sub-par
Jeff_Legwold williams and webster are going to miss some time, those are painful injuries.
NWbroncofan what the d needs is to have the same unit play back to back games.
gfdaman Denver can beat Atlanta and they can be the Jets on the road..
jack_carlson but woodyard has turned out to be a great find
BroncoRick69 Looks like SD may lose to pitt, and Indy.
gfdaman so no one knows who (if anyone) Denver is bringing in for a tryout at RB?
NWbroncofan what was it, 6 tackles, 4 for losses?
NCrimarco i heard tatum bell
Jeff_Legwold appreciate the questions everybody. i have to run. thanks.
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