What Buffalo Cost the Broncos
by KaptainKirk on Dec 24, 2011 7:16 PM MST
in Denver Broncos Injury News
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PrintThe Denver Broncos trip to Buffalo came at quite a cost today. Not only did their grip on the AFC West division slip enough to jeopardize any postseason aspirations, but further depleted a Defensive Secondary that had already lost part of its depth earlier in the year. Three Defensive Backs were lost to injury during the Bills 40-14 thrashing of the Broncos.
Safety Brian Dawkins, who had been nursing a Neck injury, exacerbated his condition in the first Quarter. Dawkins returned to the game, but left again after a few plays. He finished with 3 Tackles. It is unknown at this time, if he will miss the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. The emotional leader of the Broncos will likely end his season with 51 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 6 Pass Break Ups and a Forced Fumble.
Rookie Safety Quinton Carter suffered a Hamstring injury and did not return to the game. His day ended with 2 Tackles. Before the injury, Carter had trouble with a few missed Tackles and botched Special Teams assignments. Carter's season totals are 53 Tackles and one Sack in 9 starts.
The third casualty might be the worst for the Broncos. Rookie CFA Chris Harris suffered a pinched nerve in his neck during a tackle on Bills Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 4th quarter. Harris had 8 Tackles to lead the team for the 3rd time this season. Chris is third on the Broncos with 69 Tackles and also has 5 Pass Break Ups and an Interception for the season. During today's contest, Harris was the surest Tackler for Denver and has shown consistency all season.
The loss of all three players will hurt the Broncos if they cannot suit up for the Chiefs. Head coach John Fox could not elaborate on the severity of the players injuries, but the Broncos Defensive backfield is paper thin in the depth department.
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Hurts
The game hurt from a lot of different angles. However, the reality is Denver is in no worse shape than this morning prior to the Bills game in terms of playoff implications. In fact with Raiders beating Chiefs, even with a loss we will get an invitation to the big dance if Chargers win. Let’s be real, I think at the beginning of the year all of us would have taken the chance at one game against the Chiefs to win the West and make the playoffs.
by sfkelway on Dec 24, 2011 7:43 PM MST reply actions 2 recs
Agreed.
Had KC won this week, Then next week the team would be playing for more than just spoiler against us. Now, even with a loss against them next week, we still might squeeze in if the Chargers hand the Raiders a loss. Its going to be a nail-biting week, that’s for sure.
NEXT MAN UP - NO QUESTION
by Alexander Wall on Dec 24, 2011 7:47 PM MST up reply actions
No way Chargers win
Today they were alive in playoff hunt. They laid down for the Lions. Next week, with nothing to play for, they will all be on vacation. They’re not gonna help us.
Never know
Division games are always interesting. With the pressure off they might play loose and beat the Raiders. I agree with you though that we need to take control and not rely on Chargers. The game will be on at the same time anyway. I doubt we get flexed to Sunday night because of Cowboys-Giants Division Championship game.
No way KC beats GB when their season is all but over
Or Buf blows us out with nothing to play for.
Or Phil dominates Dallas knowing their season is over.
Or Indy beating HOU (who is playing for a bye)
I feel better about SD beating Oak than I do about us beating KC (although I think both will happen)
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
by Kgrone on Dec 24, 2011 8:48 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Raiduhs and Dolts hate each other
if you doubt this, tune into Jim Rome’s radio show, it’s called Hell Week
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Dec 24, 2011 10:42 PM MST up reply actions
and, both games are the same time
so we have to just take care of business, and forget the scoreboard watching
I have my freedom, but I don't have much time.
I'm out in California for Christmas (as usual) and wasn't able to watch this game yet.
I’ll be watching it tonight on game rewind for sure… it looked and sounded ugly with the turnovers and another high-scoring game against us. But I thought for the most part we came out in not the worst of positions… until I read this article.
The loss of Chris Harris is going to be the biggest loss by far. We have played without Dawkins several times the last few years, and have seen young guys step up in his absence… but I honestly have no idea who will replace Chris Harris next week if he’s not ready to play. I’m sure we’ll see a big dose of Kyle McCarthy next week if Carter’s hamstring injury persists.
All in all though, we can take comfort in the fact that we still control our own destiny. I’ve been saying it for two weeks now: All I want for Christmas is a win against KC in week 17. If we win we’re in. I was hoping Denver wouldn’t take it down to the wire, but with Tebow at the helm, I don’t know why I honestly expected any different. He has a knack for taking things down to the wire and pulling them off. We shall see how he fares next week. I hope the mistakes this week are learned from and Tebow continues to improve in the passing game.
NEXT MAN UP - NO QUESTION
As the last game the first qtr wasn't too bad, but after that...Yikes!
Have a wonderful time in sunny California Alex and a Merry Christmas to you and your family…
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
Quinton Carter? Oh noooooooooo
Seriously. Glad he’s off the field. Bruton looked much better. Sucks we lost Harris, he has been on of the few bright spots these last couple games. Kid has a future here
..We're 8-8 till we're not!
They say the cool is all over me..
Bruton finally showed up...
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
I seriously hope QC never plays another down for the Broncos
… he’s an embarrassment to the proud tradition of this organization. I cannot stop my negative thinking towards this guy. It’s freakin consuming me. It’s one thing to give it your all and just not get it done but I CANNOT ABIDE by tentativeness (combined with a lack of athleticism).
For Quentin Carter to be in over David Bruton (or hell, even Wesley Woodyard… who says you HAVE to have two safeties?!) is – as George Bush would say – mind bottling.
Rahim Moore, now… this guy is dumb. But he might have a surprise in store for us. I give him a 1 in 4 chance of succeeding in the NFL.
We knew you did not care for Carter BUT
When you cite a loser like Bush then call Moore dumb, you really lose us.
Kreese and Lawrence will decide if Tim Tebow can develop into our future.
Bronco fan since 1966. Current biggest Bronco fan in Vegas, living the good life.
I think losing Carter helps enough to maybe offset losing Harris
Dawk will be a loss…..
Umm……wow our secondary is bad……I came to the sad realization during today’s game that safety might be our biggest need this offseason. We were supposed to have our two safeties of the future (the next Atwater/Smith). Neither look competent in any way.
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
Losing Cassius Vaughn and Syd'Quan hurt more than many realized
But Carter and Moore are rookies.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
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I haven't come close to giving up on our rookies,
but that unsportsmanlike on Moore was sooooo blatantly stupid that I’ve just gone sour on him…he’s in my doghouse and I’m sure he’s going to lose sleep over it! :)
by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Dec 24, 2011 9:53 PM MST up reply actions
Idk, we thought the same thing at first.
But if you watch the replay real-time… the whistle was blown maybe a half-second before moore made contact. bang-bang. Just another bs, unnecessary call made against us in my book.
..We're 8-8 till we're not!
They say the cool is all over me..
And the Phonz.....traded prematurely in my opinion....
He made big plays today.
W-L record doesn't matter to me.... I just want to see a team on the rise at the end of the year!
Missed assignments are rookie mistakes...
Missed tackles are a sign we made a mistake drafting them.
Tackling is elementary and so I’d be less concerned with their missed assignments if they (Moore and Carter) were at least tackling.
I hope you’re right Kaptain Kirk. I have a feeling B. Dawk may be on his last legs and if these two rookies don’t shape up next year, we’re in trouble.
by AlwaysRightSometimes on Dec 24, 2011 11:01 PM MST up reply actions
I agree ARS
They both appeared to have good technique in Training Camp and didn’t have a problem tackling in college. But you are right, they have both broke down with poor showings more than once this year.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow @MHR_KaptainKirk
KaptainKirk on FaceBook
right when Moore was drafted...
I thought to myself, “he looks rather svelte for an NFL safety.” I know he’s listed at a protoypical size for a safety at 5’11" and 200 (same as Ed Reed and Polamalu), but his frame looks leaner.
Regardless of this quandary, my instincts seemed to be right. He plays much smaller than his size. He bounces of running backs and tight ends like a rag doll. His shoulder tackling is abysmal, and even though he’s got some legs and range on him, his instincts are so much less natural than Dawkins.
Dawkins may have lost a step, but he still has two talents these rookies dont: an instinct for the play, and tackling.
I have my freedom, but I don't have much time.
I agree Carter and Moore are rookies and I won't ever give up on a player before year 3....
But Carter has absolutely killed us the last two weeks and him being injured does not at all hurt us this coming week.
Hopefully with a full offseason he can find better angles? I hope so. Moore showed flashes of brilliance early on, but seems very very hesitant since his concussion. Anyway, like you said, rookies; and what’s more they’re rookies who didn’t get an offseason.
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
I'm not buying this rookie excuse.......
Chris Harris is a rookie also, & he doesn’t seem to be having a problem…….
right
Cause every player has to make a huge impact their rookie year or their a bust, and there’s never been a player to struggle their first year or two and then become good player.
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet
But the Chris Harris example is a good one. He plays tough, he tackles well, he’s aggressive, but smart. He’s made some mistakes, but they’ve been mental. He can and will improve as he ages.
Moore and Carter are making mistakes that may not ever change. If you aren’t a good tackler after four years of college, are you suddenly going to make the leap when the competition is bigger and faster?
Anyway, give them one more training camp (and a real one this time) before you flush em.
I have my freedom, but I don't have much time.
If Moore continues to suck then Kyle McCarthy may get his own (probably last) chance to impress
I can’t remember a game where the importance of good (Buffalo) and bad (Denver) safety play was illustrated.
What would Blackie Lawless do?
by British Bronco on Dec 25, 2011 3:19 AM MST up reply actions
i really like Q i think he has alot of potential, he made a few bad plays but i think he’ll turn out to be a above-average safety in the nfl. Bruton looked great though
"My mind-set is taking it one day at a time. That's all I can do." -Champ Bailey
by bronconation15 on Dec 25, 2011 10:45 AM MST up reply actions
I thought David Bruton had the best game of his career today. He made several plays.
Harris will bite us as Wilhite get’s burned often. It looks like Bruton and Moore will carry the load at safety with Bush and McCarthy as subs. I sure hope they show up next week.
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
To be honest, I don't think we'll beat the Chiefs next week the way our defense is giving up points.
The Chiefs have a pretty sound defense and we’ll need more than 14 pts.
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
Wow, my reply was deleted? OK, a little sensitive.. I guess you can figure out my thoughts...
… our house. Fold up your tent Kyle.
Maybe I'm overly optimistic
But I think Buf is better offensively than KC, though.
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
The defense allowed one TD ALL day....
The game was lost with offensive turnovers and about the worst special teams I’ve seen around here since the Shanny days.
Of course this is just my opinion but 21 points directly the result of turnovers and punt returns is a pretty big hole for the defense to try to pull us out of. And I’m not even taking into account the field position given up by special teams and the offense.
Better to be quiet and thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt
by broncofaninIL on Dec 24, 2011 9:47 PM MST up reply actions 4 recs
Rec.
Our defense can only do so much when our offense is that bad.
by Matt In Canada on Dec 24, 2011 10:11 PM MST up reply actions
I think the turnovers by the offense are masking our problems on defense...
The offense isn’t helping, but our defense has been equally bad.
The defense hasn’t created any turn-overs the past two games.
The pass rush has, I believe, 1 sack during these two beat downs.
We’re making costly penalties that keep us on the field.
We’ve given up well over 100 (160+ against Bills) rushing yards each game on top of 200 (300 against NE) passing yards in our two loses.
We’re losing the field position battle allowing the oposition to pin our offense behind the 10 yard line a lot.
The defense gave up 6 FG attempts and one TD. Last week it was 28 points.
No the offense isn’t helping, but the defense has disappeared.
by AlwaysRightSometimes on Dec 24, 2011 11:10 PM MST up reply actions
Dumervil has 2 sacks himself the last two games (and that might be all, but it's more than 1)
Other than that I agree mostly. I’m sick of nobody’s like Spiller breaking out with career days against us. And not just RBs, QBs always seem to blow up against us even if it’s the only game they ever do. Not sure why, but we seem to give up huge games to average players on a weekly basis.
Last week I give the D a pass cause it was NE. This week was unacceptable.
Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!
Ds struggles lately are putting pressure on our O
to do things that are outside it’s strengths. Usually stellar special teams are not simply, not….
Prediction though is that we take care of business against KC. I have great confidence, after all…if you had told me last year at this time that in 2011 we would be playing for the division title on the last day of the season, I would have taken that in a heartbeat! Go Broncos!
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Dec 26, 2011 9:17 AM MST up reply actions
The way the Broncos have played the last two weeks they couldn't beat West Virginia...
I’m not saying we shouldn’t beat the beat-up Chiefs, what I’m saying is all of a sudden we found ways to beat ourselves. The Chiefs now like the Bills have nothing to lose and the world to admire them if they beat us. Like one commentor said yesterday, it’s a matter of pride and how much they have. Sure I want the Broncos to beat the heck out of them and punish Kyle all game, I don’t see it the way we played the last 8 days. This team has a lot of work to do before they can start winning playoff games against bonifide contenders. Let’s hope they get their collective heads out of their rectum and start playing sound football again.
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
by bfree2bronc on Dec 25, 2011 10:06 AM MST up reply actions
Have to put pressure on Orton
Give him time and he is good enough to pick apart a depleted secondary.
Chris Harris #25... is it any surprise that the Broncs win streak...
… started right about the time he started playing?
People totally focus on Tebow. Rightfully so… but Chris Harris is one of the 7 best players on the team right now.
Coincidence as the whole team played well in those games and the opponents didn't.
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
by bfree2bronc on Dec 25, 2011 10:11 AM MST up reply actions
I love Chris Harris, no question I do..... but....
NO WAY is his loss worse than Dawkins!!! I fully believe missing Dawk the last two games is a big reason we’re on this skid.
"If you went to the Fair with this guy and you played that game where you have to throw the ball through the hole..... he may never get it through the hole, but he's still gonna be walking away with all the stuffed animals!" Prime's commentary on our very own Tim Tebow!!!
"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.
"If I had to choose between an abundance of football intelligence, or football wisdom, I'd choose wisdom every single time...... John Fox has enough football wisdom to be carried in a dump truck." Me!
by PaleHorse78 on Dec 24, 2011 10:45 PM MST reply actions 2 recs
I second this opinion
And we are trying to do too much on offense again.
As far as leadership, I agree Pale
Production wise, Harris has made Tackles all season that the Safeties have whiffed on. He has chased down and Tackled at least one of Carter’s assignments yesterday and last week.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow @MHR_KaptainKirk
KaptainKirk on FaceBook
by KaptainKirk on Dec 25, 2011 6:03 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree it's hard to find a Palumalu, Ed Reed and BDawk.
We’ll know how much we miss him when he’s gone, that’s why I campaign EFX to get him on board as a player coach with coaching first. I don’t think they could find a better one…
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
by bfree2bronc on Dec 25, 2011 10:15 AM MST up reply actions
Not only the DB's
but Von Miller playing with one hand is killing his production. Aldon Smith has more sacks than him now.
"If you went to the Fair with this guy and you played that game where you have to throw the ball through the hole..... he may never get it through the hole, but he's still gonna be walking away with all the stuffed animals!" Prime's commentary on our very own Tim Tebow!!!
"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.
"If I had to choose between an abundance of football intelligence, or football wisdom, I'd choose wisdom every single time...... John Fox has enough football wisdom to be carried in a dump truck." Me!
That's not a bad thing......Smith was a beast at Mizzou, and I wish he were still here :(
W-L record doesn't matter to me.... I just want to see a team on the rise at the end of the year!
If the rams get the 1st overall pick, I seriously think elway will make a play at andrew luck
by TebowFan36 on Dec 24, 2011 11:31 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Really? You think they'll give up a whole draft plus some of next years for one guy when we have holes everywhere? Nah...
Tebow will get the offseason to develop and they’ll go from there.
"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...
by bfree2bronc on Dec 25, 2011 10:35 AM MST up reply actions
Fully agree bfree. And I'm a huge Luck fan. I've seen enough of TT now that
I have great confidence in him for the future. He’s answering my questions about his passing ability. He can pass, and he will get better and better. He has very good accuracy, just needs experience and continued work on his footwork. A DL early on would be great. Perhaps a MLB, we are still weak up the middle. Like Bunkley and Thomas but we need that one stud who can control an area (need MLB or Interior DL or FS…middle, middle, middle!)
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Dec 26, 2011 9:23 AM MST up reply actions
Chris Harris
His injury looked worse than a pinched nerve, that is good news if that’s all it is.The secondary made the Bills look like New England. Bills defense kept everything in front of them. Von and all overpersued and played undisiplined
Insight on injuries?
Dawkins excaserbated the same injury he had before so any chance, since he played last week, he could suit up? Pinched nerve? I’m unaware of how serious this injury is, is playing the following week possible? QC seemed like he played well when he was with Dawkins…well he seemed to tackle people it least. Moore has been a personal dissappointment for me. He is a rookie, but outside of that big hit earlier this year that he got flagged for and the late hit yesterday he seems unable to handle the size of TE or bigger backs and bring them to the ground. Missed tackles were HUGE last week. the 2 Fitz first down runs on 3rd down killed me. McKelvin looked like he stepped out to me on that return and Rosario got hosed on the block in the back call on Eddie’s KR. NO MORE PENALTIES! Getting behind on the sticks and starting deep in our own end is not a formula for success on the road or anywhere and lastly, Turnovers 4 picks against anyone is going to get it done.
Our coaching staff has been outperformed by the opposing staffs
lately. Not making the adjustments in game and certainly unimaginative game plans are beginning to hurt us. This is the NFL guys! Coaches know how to game plan….
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Dec 26, 2011 9:26 AM MST reply actions
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