Horse Tracks 12/22/09 - Buckhalter expected to return to face former mates; Hill's status uncertain

by Douglas A. Lee on Dec 22, 2009 5:46 AM MST in Horse Tracks

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DB - Paying Tribute to Barrel Man - Broncos TV

DB - Week 16 - Mon: McDaniels - Broncos TV

DB - Weekly Press Release - Patrick Smyth

DB - Striving for Stability - Zach Eisendrath
"You can break down statistics however much you want to," McDaniels said. "The bottom line is we gave up way too many big runs, obviously."

"There was a common thing from the standpoint of where it happened," Nolan said. "It happened on cutbacks — all but two of them. And it really just has to do with the responsibility to stay home … We have to do a better job of maintaining our responsibility on the cutback. It was really just a case of us over-pursuing on the backside."

DPP - Streaky Broncos want to break one, start one vs. Eagles - Jim Armstrong

DPP - Red zone turns to dread zone - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Broncos couldn't stop their own old blocking scheme - Mike Klis
"After missing Sunday's game because of an ankle injury, running back Correll Buckhalter said he will play this weekend against Philadelphia, his former team. Free safety Renaldo Hill, whose presence was missed on those cutback runs against the Raiders, will be a bit more questionable to play because of his ankle injury. "I am hopeful on both," McDaniels said...As it stands, the Broncos have a top 10 pick in the April draft. The Broncos acquired the Bears' 2010 first-round pick through the Orton-Jay Cutler trade."

DPP - Moreno not in running to get job done for Broncos - Woody Paige
Wow. Woody clearly does not like Knowshon Moreno. I wonder what the guy did; I mean, he sure seems like a nice kid. Has he been consistently spectacular? Absolutely not. Are the no-gainers a killer? Yes. But if you're going to cite stats like this, then how about comparing them to the league average, or to another player, at least? I am a stats guy myself; they can explain an awful lot. But when you're going to cite things like no-gainers and carries for loss, you're entering a realm of numbers where nobody knows what's normal, what's good, or what's bad. Yeah, the numbers sound poor - but how about a frame of reference, Woody? That's just irresponsible. Plus, no mention that Knowshon has produced the most yards from scrimmage of any non-QB rookie this year...

DPP - Analysis: Broncos struggling to convert short-yardage plays - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Eagles sure to look for passing lane against Broncos - Jeff Legwold

DP - Eagles anticipating Dawkins homecoming - Lindsay Jones

DP - Broncos Mailbag: Hillis mystery lingers - Mike Klis

DPP - Q&A: NFL showing interest in UFL players - Jeff Legwold

CSG - McDaniels says Broncos "far from being dead" - Frank Schwab

LTC - Missed opportunity - Brian Howell

LTC - Red zone woes continue for Broncos - Brian Howell

CBS4 - Elway: Short-Yardage Situations Hurting Broncos - Matthew Buettner

DB - Redzone Blues vs Black and Silver - Mark Cooper

DB - Ask Andre' Goodman...

AP - Sliding Broncos - Pat Graham

FH - No Fines Likely for Ochocinco, Marshall - Dave Goldberg

Eagles News

PI - Eagles Notes: Brian Westbrook expected back Sunday - Bob Brookover

PDN - Westbrook's return will add counterpunch to Eagles' offense - Les Bowen

PI - On Dawkins, Eagles' Reid refuses to take the bait - Phil Sheridan

PDN - Reid between the lines: Eagles miss Dawkins - Sam Donnellon

PI - Dawkins not easily replaced - Bob Brookover

PDN - Eagles Notebook: Eagles rookie Maclin will practice but return uncertain - Les Bowen

PI - Eagles to clash with "brother" Dawkins - Jeff McLane

FH - Fresh-Faced, First-Place Eagles Keep Andy Reid Young - Dan Graziano

NFL Results

NFL - New York Giants 45 at Washington Redskins 12

SI - Giants, 'Skins headed in opposite direction as season comes to close - Don Banks

FH - Bah, Humbug! These Giants Still Aren't True Contenders - Dan Graziano

AFC West News

OT - JaMarcus Russell doesn't reclaim Raiders starting QB job despite late-game heroics - Jerry McDonald

OT - Coach Tom Cable remains committed, but are Davis, Raiders? - Monte Poole

OT - Cable: Circumstances dictate Bush’s use - Jerry McDonald

SDUT - Will there be holiday spirits? - Tim Sullivan

SDUT - Christmas is coming too fast for Chargers - Kevin Acee

SDUT - Turner has praise for players, coaches who saved season - Kevin Acee

KCS - Chiefs’ rushing defense has been run ragged - Adam Teicher

NFL News

NYT - Playoff Possibilities After Week 15 - Toni Monkovic
How about that? Lose to the Raiders, and we end up with a (small) chance to clinch a playoff spot this week...that's what happens when nobody else bothers to step up either...

PFW - Week 16 matchup tidbits

NFL - To the rescue: Holmgren agrees to join Browns as team president

NFL - No good: Folk cut by Cowboys, who sign K Suisham as replacement

NFL - Bench Favre? Vikings coach Childress considered it vs. Panthers

NFL - Double whammy: Titans LBs Bulluck, Thornton done for the season

NFL - Bengals prepare for Henry's funeral after enduring emotional week

NFL Opinion

NFP - The Monday Tavern - Mike Lombardi
"Denver gave up a first-round draft pick this year for the right to draft Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest in the second round. However, Smith is struggling to cover anyone, and the pick looks very disappointing, especially when he can’t cover any of the big wideouts of the Raiders."

NFL - Cowboys suddenly have reason for hope in December - Mike Lombardi

NFL - Six from Sunday: Some teams will end up kicking themselves - Pat Kirwan

NYT - Week 15 Quick Hits: Adrian Peterson, Prime-Time Disappointment - Andy Benoit

CBS - Monday Musings - Pete Prisco

CBS - Prisco Grades: Week 15

NFP - Owners will embrace uncapped year - Jack Bechta

SI - Tony Romo carries Cowboys; Panthers stun Vikings; more - Peter King

Y! - Unscripted Ochocinco lets emotions take over - Mike Silver

NFP - Ocho foiled by ‘league above players’ thinking - Andrew Brandt

FH - Diva Favre Sparks Needless Controversy - Jay Mariotti

Y! - Favre episode causes predictable waves - Dan Wetzel

FOX - The Day After: Is Favre coach and QB? - John Czarnecki

NFP - What do we think of Cutler now? - Matt Bowen
"From a football standpoint, or from the view of analyzing the X’s and O’s of his season, he almost seems to be predetermined when he comes out the huddle — throwing the ball in places on the field that we usually see from a rookie — and a bad rookie at that."

PFW - Holmgren's arrival another big change for Browns - Mike Wilkening

CBS - Idiotic play call seals Zorn's doom in Washington - Gregg Doyel

SN - NFL Power Poll: Colts shouldn't let up down the stretch - Clifton Brown

NFP - Two junior linemen with impact potential - Wes Bunting

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Comments

Woody's article is not that far off the mark with a couple of things:

Our 1st down play calling is VERY predictable and puts pressure on an o that rarely goes vertical.
3.9 yards a run is not good for a 1st round pick.
He acknowledges that the O line is playing bad (and I believe that is because they are TOO small to be playing power game, and are getting beaten up and worn down in the process).
I am very disappointed in Moreno as well. I was SO stoked to get him, and he has been underwhelming to say the least. The good games he has, Buck outperforms him on YPC.

Like with all stats, they can be used to save or harm, so I wont even look at them, but the facts brought up in the article with regards to length of yard, and the inability to break a big run ARE worrying. I feel its fixable, but those apportioning NONE of the blame to Moreno are not watching the same game as me!

I am hoping we go zone the last 2 games…..

McD promised a lot on O and has failed to deliver across the board. He is selling the talents of all these guys supremely short in my book….and I dont get why.

Anyone out there got a bonafide reason (not an excuse) for the bland bowl of oatmeal offense we are seeing.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Dec 22, 2009 6:20 AM MST reply actions

I am not saying Knowshon’s numbers look good. The stats Woody cited sound terrible, in fact. But that’s the problem. They only “sound” terrible, because I have NO IDEA what to compare them to. It’s journalistic laziness…go figure.

formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan

by Douglas A. Lee on Dec 22, 2009 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

I like and trust what Elway said on his Monday morning interview.

Our inability to gain 1st downs on short yardage is a combination of 3 things…The runner, the Oline, and the scheme.

by bfree2bronc on Dec 22, 2009 4:24 PM MST up reply actions

And I hope we fix it soon.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Dec 22, 2009 8:08 PM MST up reply actions

Kisla and Woody are absolutely making this board!

We have 3 or 4 posters at least that make these two an ignore in my book. No wonder their are more newspapers headed to the morgue than the real ones they post in the obits.

by BroncoCUbuffs on Dec 22, 2009 2:27 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for tracks by the way Doug!

by boydy2669 on Dec 22, 2009 6:21 AM MST reply actions

Thanks Doug.

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Dec 22, 2009 7:27 AM MST reply actions

Wow...

Props to Doug… I’m obviously not a regular MHR visitor so I’m not sure if you do this type of thing every week, but it’s well done. Looks like a ton of work and time.

But anyways, my reason for visiting is for one reason… I’m an Eagle’s fan and, like so many other Eagle’s fans, Brian Dawkins is my favorite Eagle of all time. I’m very excited to see him come back to Philly and to add to it, the game has serious playoff implications on the line.

I’m looking for ways to pass the time and curious when/if Dawkins will be holding a press conference. The Eagles typically hold player (offensive and defensive representatives) press conferences on Wednesday and they air them live on the Eagles’ website. When will the Broncos be holding their pressers and will they be aired anywhere online?

The Eagles are the first team in NFL history to have a running back and a wide receiver with 500 yards apiece in the same season before their 22nd birthdays.

by Smitty2K3 on Dec 22, 2009 7:50 AM MST reply actions

Thanks, Smitty...

both for visiting and the kind words. I put this together each and every morning, seven days a week. The Broncos do the same as the Eagles and you can find the pressers live on their site. The next day, I post links to recordings of the pressers.

formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan

by Douglas A. Lee on Dec 22, 2009 8:22 AM MST up reply actions

Okay, sounds good. I’ll be sure to check back tomorrow here and the Broncos website. I’m anxious to hear what Dawkins’ feelings are about returning to Philly. Obviously, I’m sure he’ll say all the right things, about this game being huge for the the Broncos’ playoff chances, but he’s usually very honest and genuine and he always makes for a great interview.

One other thing… I’m pretty sure it’s up to the visiting team on whether or not individual players are introduced before the game or whether the whole team just runs out together. Do you have any idea if the Bronco’s will choose to introduce the entire defensive starting lineup individually, or just run the whole team out together? Personally, I’d love to see Dawkins come out in his patented Wolverine/Weapon X style and get the standing ovation he deserves.

The Eagles are the first team in NFL history to have a running back and a wide receiver with 500 yards apiece in the same season before their 22nd birthdays.

by Smitty2K3 on Dec 22, 2009 8:31 AM MST up reply actions

That I cannot answer, being a NY guy who has only been to Denver twice. Anyone else?

formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan

by Douglas A. Lee on Dec 22, 2009 8:49 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks Doug

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Dec 22, 2009 9:57 AM MST reply actions

Oakland

I didn’t get to watch the game. I was just wondering who was playing fullback.

... if you have a belief, you will tend to find things that support it. But if you have a prejudice, you’ll move heaven and earth to maintain it. BroncoBear

by 3nS on Dec 22, 2009 3:22 PM MST reply actions

Lots of single back sets

But when there was a FB in the game it was Larsen.

Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds. - Albert Einstein

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. - Albert Einstein

by c_style on Dec 23, 2009 1:13 AM MST up reply actions

Wow, me and Mike Lombardi agree

That is scary

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Dec 22, 2009 4:07 PM MST reply actions

Thanks Doug for all the great work you do!

by bfree2bronc on Dec 22, 2009 4:24 PM MST reply actions

Chris Johnson only 27 yards away from 2,000.

Wow, I didn’t know he was that close. That is still 135 yds./game for the last two. Even if he does get it, I thought I should mention that our own Davis is the only 2,000 yard rusher to win the SB the same year.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Dec 22, 2009 8:13 PM MST reply actions