Horse Tracks 9/25/09 - Hamilton misses practice with hamstring issue, Stokley limited by thigh injury

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 5:45 AM MDT in Horse Tracks Comment 74 comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GURU!!!!

NFLN - Week 3: Broncos vs. Raiders Preview - Broncos TV

DB - Secondary To None - Chris Gentilviso
What were they thinking signing 3 old guys and drafting 12 more d-backs?!?!?!?!

DB - A Ring-of-Fame Caliber Entrance - Gray Caldwell
Video of Shannon's skydive into the Big IF, along with an article by Caldwell.

DB - A Speedy Challenge - Zach Eisendrath
Jokeland is starting two young speedsters at WR.

DB - Week 3 - Thu: McDaniels - Broncos TV

DB - Week 3 - Thu: Bailey - Broncos TV

DPP - Denver Broncos face big test up front - Lindsay Jones
New Raiders RIchard Seymour and Greg Ellis already have 5 sacks, so the Broncos O-Line will have their hands full come Sunday.

DP - Broncos' Royal sees production drop - Mike Klis

CSG - Broncos notes: Run defense holding up well - Frank Schwab
Runs up the middle versus the Broncos have only gone for 1.64 YPA so far, compared with 5.33 YPA last season.

LTC - Raiders’ QB is no easy target - Brian Howell

AP - Veteran Group Building Bonds In Broncos Secondary

CSG - Ramsey: Raiders' Davis still scary, but lacks fire

DPP - Rivalry game blacked out in Oakland - Mike Klis
Renaldo Hill's replacement in Miami (Gibril Wilson) isn't exactly filling his shoes. Kyle Orton is still practicing with his glove but hoping to play without it come Sunday.

LTC - Marshall adapts to lesser role - Brian Howell

LTC - New Broncos ready to see Raiders rivalry up close - Brian Howell

DPP - Spotlight: Safety Renaldo Hill - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Analysis: Running game won't likely eclipse passing yet - Mike Klis
Klis predicts a pass-heavy attack for the Broncos on Sunday.

CSG - Broncos' Royal not worried about lack of production - Eddie Royal

DPP - Q&A: What about Cassel? - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Numbers: Immaculate deflection makes franchise history

SI - Johnny Knox, Elvis Dumervil, Michael Huff have early NFL impact - Don Banks
Banks cites some really dumb stats in talking up Doom's season thus far.

AFC West News

SFC - Ostler: 49ers, Raiders need to apply makeup

SFC - Russell's troubles dissected - David White

SFG - Raiders Silver and Black Blog : Notes - David White

SFG - Raiders Silver and Black Blog : WRs - David White

OT - Raiders aide Tollner: Russell's struggles are on him - Steve Corkran

CCT - Raiders-Broncos blacked out locally on Sunday

SJMN - Kawakami: I'm sticking with Russell

PD - JaMarcus off-target? That's accurate - Phil Barber

NFL - Cassel believes performance, not contract, is why he's Chiefs' QB

KCS - Cassel will continue to compete for his job - Adam Teicher

KCS - Chiefs notebook | Derrick Johnson says he won’t play Sunday - Kent Babb

NFL - L.T. still on the mend, pledges not to rejoin Chargers too soon

SDUT - Chargers defense can't hide from the run - Kevin Acee

SDUT - Sproles more sore, but workload doesn't worry Turner - Kevin Acee

SDUT - Fouts cautions against writing off wounded Chargers - Jay Posner

SDUT - Anxiety over Bolts' future home a reality - Tim Sullivan

NFL News

NFL - Disappointed safety Phillips lost for season; Giants bring in Rouse

NFL - McNabb likely out for Eagles; Westbrook, Jackson miss practice

NFL - Jets QB Sanchez deals with knee tendinitis, should play vs. Titans

NFL - Laughing matter: Vikings' Peterson cracks jokes about back injury

NFL - Hasselbeck among three injured Seahawks who don't practice

NFL - Barber's status for Cowboys' Monday night game uncertain

NFL - Sparano: Dolphins LB Porter limited with 'a little hamstring tweak'

NFL - Browns rookie RB Davis says he's ready for Ravens if Lewis can't go

NFL - Diggs, Hoover become latest Panthers starters sidelined by injury

NFL Opinion

Y! - Tampering accusation worse than Spygate if true - Charles Robinson

NFP - Tavern talk: the heat is on Zorn - Mike Lombardi
Looks like I'll be rooting for the Skins next year when Shanny lands...

NFP - NFL notes: No need to panic in Tennessee - Matt Bowen
Bowen is impressed by the Broncos D, or at least the numbers they're putting up.

NFL - Delhomme, Romo face off under the Monday night spotlight - Gil Brandt
Brandt thinks Orton & Co. will need to beat Chris Johnson, with Nnamdi Asomugha sitting on the other side. Of course, that only accounts for 2 WRs...

Y! - Vick turns tide against dogfighting - Dan Wetzel

NFL - 'Wildcat originator' gives Eagles ultimate option quarterback - Steve Wyche

SI - Tom Brady's had a storied career, but what if he never gets it back? - Michael Rosenberg

Y! - Singletary stresses the evil of overconfidence - Mike Silver

Y! - Burress had profound impact on Giants WRs - Jason Cole

PFW - Underrated assistant coaches make big impact - Nolan Nawrocki

NYT - Drew Brees and the ‘Four Verticals’ - Chris Brown

CBS - Brees makes short jump to Brady, Peyton stature - Pete Prisco

FOX - NFL Truths: Brady will always hear the footsteps - Jason Whitlock

ESPN - The saga of the Crabtree holdout - Elizabeth Merrill

SI - The Peter King Challenge
PK thinks the Broncos will squeak by the Raiders

ESPN - John Clayton breaks down the biggest NFL games of Week 3

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Comments

Thanks for the Tracks.

That would hurt if Stokes and Hamilton can’t play on sunday.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Sep 25, 2009 5:51 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Mornin nyc, Thanks as always...

I second kb, we need Stokes and Hamilton…

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

by UB3 on Sep 25, 2009 7:35 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes

Stokes and Hamilton would definitely hurt!

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 9:00 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Sep 25, 2009 7:30 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I second the Kap'n Too...Happy Birthday Guru!!

Mornin Kap’n

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

by UB3 on Sep 25, 2009 7:38 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice heads up, Kirk

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 7:54 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GURU!!!!

Thanks for reminding me, Kaptain!

Thanks for Tracks, NYC!

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 9:00 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy Birthday Guru!!!

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

by weazel on Sep 25, 2009 9:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

McD on Royal

We’re not going to try and jam it into one guy when we have 10 players that are worth throwing the ball to.

Not to compare the team to last year or anything…

by Velveeta on Sep 25, 2009 7:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure this is true, not yet anyway.

I hope Royal gets far more passes his way Sunday. I wouldn’t say our O burned up the field vs Cincy. We need Eddie to make a much bigger impact than he has thus far.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 7:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume McD just means that he’s never going to let Orton lock in on one guy if he’s not actually open. Don’t you read his statement like that? As in, “we have so many weapons that we’re going to use the opportunities presented, rather than try to feature one guy or bust.”

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 7:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think there is a single team in the NFL that wants to force feed the ball any one player. Such a strategy would be very easy to game plan around. What McD is saying is the same thing 31 other coaches say on a weekly basis.

We have 6 great to good WR/TE options, but Denver’s offense still has a long way to go at this point. In particular, Eddie needs to step it up. He is a better player than Gaffney and needs to prove that on the field.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 8:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good News

I finally decided to bench Royal this week on my fantasy team, so expect a phenomenal performance from him this week. =P

"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for to many men on the field?" - Jim Bouton

by diviesti on Sep 25, 2009 9:10 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha - so it WAS you!

I benched Hillis last week, and he got a touchdown for me. hehe. He’ll be riding my bench all year if that’s what it takes!

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 9:12 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

sorry for the Copycat CK. I didn’t read your comment before I replied to diviesti. Great minds…

by KaptainKirk on Sep 25, 2009 9:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

no worries KK

As you say, great minds. :-D

GO BRONCOS!!

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 10:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did too diviesti

For the exact same reason. I may just stash him on my bench the entire season if that’s what it takes!

by KaptainKirk on Sep 25, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that he is a better player than Gaffney

although I tend to think that because of Eddie’s productivity last year, opposing D’s have been stepping up their coverage when he is on the field. That combined with learning the new schemes and routes (as well as McD’s offense spreading the ball around a heckuva lot more than Jay/Bates last year) have all contributed to his drop in production.

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 9:11 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

McD said

That they’ve been seeing cover 2 with Eddie as X receiver, which is essentially taking him away. But that they’ll move him around (and have), and that some games he’ll be thrown to 12 times, some games far less.

by JeffG on Sep 25, 2009 9:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, no. Of course nobody wants to force feed any receiver. Velveeta’s point was obviously that Cutler did that all last year with Marshall. That’s all. I certainly agree that we need Eddie more involved in the offense.

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 10:11 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with this completely

That’s how I read it. And with one WR being targeted over 1/3 of the passes thrown last year, I think it’s a point that holds value. The past two seasons we have seen a QB locking onto a certain WR.

Therefore, I agree with McD’s insinuation and Velveeta’s point. We need to make sure we continue to spread the ball around our multitude of targets.

"You can make mistakes, but you are not a failure until you blame others for those mistakes." -John Wooden

by Randall15 on Sep 25, 2009 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry NYC

The REST of us got it.

I am pretty sure Cutler would have thrown the ball to Marshall even if he were on the sidelines on crutches in a baseball cap.

I can’t imagine that’s just one reason BM was unhappy. He’s never going to have another 100 catch year again, as long as he’s in Denver.

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:08 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eddie had 91 catches last year. That is about 10 less than BM. I don’t think Shanny or Cutler force feed anyone.

We didn’t have a running game due to injuries and more injuries.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes it's called sarcasm kid.

It ain’t all about you.

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eddie Royal was targeted 129 times last season and caught 71% of those throws.

Brandon Marshall was targeted 181 times last year, or 40.3% more than Royal was. Marshall only caught 57% of those passes.

This conversation was never about catches. It was about forcing the ball to someone; in other words, how many times they were thrown to. The relatively smaller difference in receptions is only a further indictment of Cutler’s decisions. Cutler threw to Marshall when he wasn’t actually open…

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Eddie needs to stop dropping passes...3 vs Bengals and 2 vs Cleveland...and they were EASY drops!

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 Sep 25, 2009 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's that rocket arm of Orton's

he needs to ease up on the throws so he doesn’t bruise his WR’s hands. ;-)

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eddie has five drops? I only remember two.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Officially, Eddie has zero drops so far in ’09…

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/playerstats.asp?id=8819&team=7

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 25, 2009 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wont agree with that...he has 4-5.....but its early and he will come back

How do they rank drops then? Weird stat!

by boydy2669 on Sep 25, 2009 8:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with boydy

I saw at the very least, 4-5 drops by Eddie this season. I’m talking the ball hit both his hands and no reception.

by KaptainKirk on Sep 25, 2009 9:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further review

Eddie has been targeted 13 times with 5 catches. At least half of those were drops.

by KaptainKirk on Sep 25, 2009 9:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peter King... squeek by the raiders

pfffttt… Denver will SMASH them… like guitars… this will be a beating for the ages. Sacks, interceptions and high Denver scoring will be the name of the game. It aint gonna be pretty to be a raider fan.

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Sep 25, 2009 7:37 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Other than Ja-MegaBust Russell and thier rookie WRs, I’ve been pretty impressed with Oakland.

Denver has to play on a POS dirt baseball field so that will be a big adjustment. I think King will be right. Close and low scoring game, which Denver wins.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 7:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

On Paper

there is always something disconcerting about a team with a decent defense and a good running game.

When you can do the common things in life in a uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
- George Washington Carver

by Kfustud on Sep 25, 2009 8:06 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

And playing at home… On dirt.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Sep 25, 2009 8:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Raider nation, with 10,000 empty seats.

Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile

by frightenedinmate#2 on Sep 25, 2009 9:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a Blackout for the Brown Hole!

by Velveeta on Sep 25, 2009 9:13 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

With a janky OL

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:09 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Oakland wants to play physical, so it’ll be a good test for the rushing defense. I’ve always felt that a team that has McFadden and Bush should be more productive than they’ve been.

by BuckarooBanzai on Sep 25, 2009 11:07 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah....

rationality played no part in that comment…

But the way the D has been playing the run so far, I can see oakland getting held to a pretty low score unless JMR has a game like he did last year…

I can see the onus being on the offense once again. I think they’ll be up to the task.

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Sep 26, 2009 12:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

OYE! (Rated PG-13)

But look deeper at Kansas City’s rushing total. Take away scrambles by Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell and an end-around and the Raiders allowed 123 yards rushing on 32 carries — a 3.8-yard average.

Yeah,and if you take away my weiner, I’d be a chick….arrrrgh!

I hate when people do this – but then again I am probably guilty of this at times too. Hey you, look at this stat, but not this one and my point is proven! :P

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Sep 25, 2009 7:49 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Like pointing out that the Broncos should have lost to Cincy

by Velveeta on Sep 25, 2009 7:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you just take away all the points...

Denver scored and give Cincy two more touchdowns you’d have a blowout. The Broncos didn’t even show up. Their defense is going to be awful this year because I said so and their coach is an idiot because I personally am unable to figure out what he’s up to behind closed doors.

And if I can’t figure it out is HAS to be stupid. Because writing about doing things is exactly the same as actually doing them, so I totally know all about coaching football.

This is John Clayton, signing off.

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Funny

I was thinking the same thing, “So if you take away the big gains and keep the smaller ones they have a smaller ypc average.” (no sh** captain obvious)However a 3.8 ypc ave still allows a first down on 3 straight rushing plays even with the deflated number.

"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for to many men on the field?" - Jim Bouton

by diviesti on Sep 25, 2009 9:07 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

LMFAO@captain obvious

It’s like Madden never left us!!!

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Sep 25, 2009 9:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's still

by no means a stellar number. 3.8 is bad in fantasy football, but it’s a solid team average.. especially considering KC doesn’t have a very good stable of backs.

by ELGee on Sep 25, 2009 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a solid average...

Provided your team is still able to score. Which KC isn’t. LOL

Gonna be a long year for the Chefs.

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks NYC and Happy Bday GURU

If Stokley cant play BMarsh really needs to step up.

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Sep 25, 2009 9:17 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks NYC and Happy Birthday John!

by boydy2669 on Sep 25, 2009 9:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Local support

For the record, the picks I’ve heard thus far from local sport folk:

Mike Klis: Raiders
Sandy Clough: Raiders
Mike Evans: Raiders

Anybody in this town think the Broncos are for real?

by JeffG on Sep 25, 2009 9:56 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

wait what?

Seriously?

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 25, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

New one to add:

Reggie Rivers: Broncos

by JeffG on Sep 25, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I wonder if it would be too much to ask for some local sports writers who like the local team….

Sour pusses huh…

When you can do the common things in life in a uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
- George Washington Carver

by Kfustud on Sep 25, 2009 10:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am going to assume Paige picked his usual.

“Anybody but that stupid team who traded their franchise QB and wasted two draft picks and hired a kid.”

Anyone else but them.

by TheMastermind on Sep 25, 2009 11:11 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Klis..

..is a pot stirrer. Turning a mature-beyond-his-years Rod Smith clone in Royal into a disgruntled diva would be Klis’ crowning achievement. Won’t work, though.

And Hall is now a Redskin, though I doubt he’s still starting by the time we play them. He looks even worse this year.

by ELGee on Sep 25, 2009 10:01 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

RE: Runs up the middle

5.33 per last year? It’s no wonder why Nate Webster didn’t even get a sniff this offseason and Atlanta only kicked Winborn’s tires before cutting him.

Speaking of Winborn, glad he’s gone. He’d do a dance after every routine tackle, even if it was after a big gain. Total me-first clown. The Broncos don’t seem to have any of those type guys this year. Reid is a tad exuberant sometimes.

I wonder why Engelberger didn’t factor into our 3-4 plans. Seems like an ideal guy to make the switch. Kampman/Justin Smith-esque.

by ELGee on Sep 25, 2009 10:07 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs