NFL Playoffs 2012: Lonie Paxton, Eric Decker OUT, Brian Dawkins Doubtful For Broncos
by John Bena on Jan 13, 2012 11:55 AM MST
in Denver Broncos Injury News
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As the team prepared to leave Denver for New England, the Broncos released their final injury report for Saturday's divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots. While Brian Dawkins is a longshot to play - he's not expected to suit up - and Eric Decker is ruled out, one surprise on the list is Broncos long-snapper Lonie Paxton who has missed the entire week of practice due to personal reasons.
Paxton is vital to the Broncos, having a ton of experience long-snapping in some huge games in his career as a member of the New England Patriots. Paxton, of course, helped the Broncos win several games this year, with Denver winning 3 games during the regular season with overtime fieldgoals.
Who will replace Paxton remains to be seen, with the Broncos having also lost backup Chris Kuper to injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. One likely candidate is OL Russ Hochstein, who has done it in the past, but if the game comes down to a key extra point or field goal, well, we've seen in the past how a shaky long-snapper can kill postseason dreams.
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Bad news about Paxton
He’s a really underrated part of special teams play. Hopefully Hochstein or whoever steps in for him doesn’t muck up snaps. It’s not quite like losing your starting center, but for punts and FGs, which Broncos have generally done very well on this year, it’s still pretty critical.
Decker is no surprise. Need the receivers after DT to step it up since they’ll obviously focus on him more than Pitt did. Need Willis and Royal, and the TEs and even the RBs to get involved and grab some passes short and long.
WEird that Dawkins is listed as doubtful even though he’s not gonna play. Why not just declare him “out”? Time for Bruton and QC to step it up again.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If NE focuses on DT then…
they have to ignore one of the other WR’s or take their chances with the run. Decker out eases their job some but, in view of their last encounter with us, I am sure their are some tense decisions being made in making their game plan. Should be an interesting game.
I just hope we have more than one receiver running pass patterns!
There have been too many times where we call pass plays with one and two receivers running routes. That’s not hard to cover!
Compare that to the way they talk about NE. You can’t cover 3 wideouts plus two dangerous TEs. Having 4 options versus 2 changes the entire defensive strategy. We don’t need to keep that many guys in to block, so get them out in the field to make the defense play defense.
'"It could happen..."
What is the deal with Lonie?
Seriously…from what I’ve read he’s not physically injured, but what would possibly keep him out of a playoff game?
"Bombs dropping down overhead. Underground. It's instilled to want to live." -EV
Read it was " family" related per one of the other Bronco players,
and that the other player totally agreed with Lonnie being gone. No other details I have seen.
It is awfully strange
to miss the biggest game of the season against your former team and now not to mention two former head coaches. Just strange.
Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Tebowmania runs wild on you!
that's kinda what i thought
He’s played well for us and if it truly is a family issue, I wish him and his family well.
But considering how he came here and who we’re playing I have to scratch my head a bit. But i like conspiracies. :)
It's curious
but it’s probably some personal matter. I doubt we ever know what it is for sure. Hope everything is alright and he can join the team in Houston next week.
by BroncosBassist on Jan 13, 2012 12:14 PM MST up reply actions 6 recs
calling your shot, nice!
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 Jan 13, 2012 12:59 PM MST up reply actions
Go green :).
None of us go out and play for stats. You just do whatever you can to help the team out. -- Eddie Royal
by Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan on Jan 13, 2012 1:22 PM MST up reply actions
I’ll never question a player’s decision to be absent for personal reasons. Sure, it sucks for us to miss our long snapper, especially when the backup LS went down two weeks ago, but these players’ real lives are far, far more important than a game. Even a playoff game. And if he wants privacy in those personal matters, I think he deserves that too.
Jason
The Hanging Curve
by poorboywilly on Jan 13, 2012 12:16 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
i guess as long as the family member isn't Bellichick it's OK
But talk about bad timing. Hope it all works out Lonnie.
"I wouldn't call it Tebow Time I'd call it Bronco Time"- Tim Tebow
Funny that his only really bad snap I can remember was the one on the PAT vs New England a few weeks ago.
Probably not funny what is going on in his life. Hope it’s not drugs.
Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you (including you Elway).
Yeah...I hope not
Our prayers are with you Lonie!
"Bombs dropping down overhead. Underground. It's instilled to want to live." -EV
Drug issues are usually pretty public
And I doubt the team would have a problem calling out any player for that kind of thing to make an example of him… I’m guessing that it’s a life or death issue if it’s keeping him out of a playoff game. I really hope it works out ok for him…
None of us go out and play for stats. You just do whatever you can to help the team out. -- Eddie Royal
by Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan on Jan 13, 2012 2:09 PM MST up reply actions
Somebody in the family must of past away or something.
Nobodies saying what’s wrong on the family front but it must be pretty serious…Hochstein will probably carry the load.
Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!
by bfree2bronc on Jan 13, 2012 12:53 PM MST up reply actions
Paxton
I heard that Belichick offered Lonnie his vacation home in the Caribbean, I had no idea he’d accept the invite.
Hey – did any of you Denverites hear our (Boston’s) dump-ass mayor on the radio out that way ?? How incredibly stupid does Mayor Tom Menino sound to you guys ? The Denver mayor and Menino wagered some stupid crap on the football game – your mayor must think Boston is full of dunderheads (could this be ?), electing this idiot, year after year !
by profootballfan on Jan 13, 2012 12:56 PM MST up reply actions
Pax wouldnt miss a playoff game...unless
It was serious..and obviously private…sending prayers…
Yeah definitely, everything I've heard about him, he wouldn't miss a game like this unless it was really serious
Hope it’s nothing tragic of course. Has to be something serious with a family member. Wishing him the best. More important than football.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Man that sucks about Pax
Funny how under the radar a long snapper goes until he’s not at a game. Then we all remember how critical their job is. Not sure having Dawk out is to bad. As long as the communication is there between the kids, which I think it’s smoothed out now, they should be better in pass coverage with the improved speed.
"Choo, Choo!!!!!" LOL
I'd Much...
rather cheer for a team (and a player) that has their priorities in the right order than vice versa, even if the latter has more success.
Hope whatever is the issue works out for the best for Lonnie and his family and I’m glad that both he and the Broncos are not placing football above an obviously serious and personal family matter.
I'm not gna speculate.
I’m just gna wish him my best. Go Broncos!!
by CenCalBronco on Jan 13, 2012 12:42 PM MST via mobile reply actions
He's a Cardinal. Shame - we never should have got rid of him really.
What would Blackie Lawless do? Well he'd probably wait till after the playoffs are over before speculating as to what happens in the offseason....
by British Bronco on Jan 13, 2012 2:23 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Curse you McD
"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby
Not good
The one thing I was hoping for was – please, no major injuries on either side ! The game will be much better with the full contingency of starters – sounds like the Broncos will not be at full-force. Which sucks for the fans.
The Pats have been playing with their backup center since week 1 (Dan Koppen fractured his ankle in the first Miami game) but, Connolly has adjusted well, moving over from his guard position. Today, the Patriots are as healthy as they’ve been for a while.
Getting to Brady...
How much has Von Miller been affected by this injury and how much has that hurt our pass rush?
I forget who it was but one of the articles this week said that our sacks per QB dropback percentage dropped to like 4.5% during the 3 game losing streak. Versus Pittsburgh it jumped back up to closer to where it had been around 10.5-11% (I hope my numbers are right). We are going to need to get pressure on Brady often throughout the game, that creates turnovers and gets their offense off the field. I hope Von is ready to be a part of that!
'"It could happen..."
Do what you've gotta do Paxton
We’ll miss you for sure. Hope everything works out for you big man.
None of us go out and play for stats. You just do whatever you can to help the team out. -- Eddie Royal
by Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan on Jan 13, 2012 1:24 PM MST reply actions
I do hope Paxton is all right
the Broncos family is with him and we look forward to welcoming him back to the team for the AFC Championship Game!
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 Jan 13, 2012 1:46 PM MST reply actions
It's unfortunate that Paxton is having a problem that prevented him from being here all week and playing on Saturday
Best wishes to Lonnie.
There are FA LS on the street, but we didn’t sign anybody, so we’ll have to get by.
Twitter reports
we just barely signed veteran long snapper David Binn
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 Jan 13, 2012 3:33 PM MST reply actions
It kinda hurts re Dawkins
Anyone else thinking that this could be his last year? I kinda hope he isn’t inactive for as long as this run lasts. Because he deserves to at least make a game appearance if this is it for him.
Great season
Regardless it is been an amazing season.
by MajorG on Jan 13, 2012 8:10 PM MST via Android app reply actions
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