Horse Tracks 10/9/09 - Buckhalter probably out Sunday; Fred Taylor definitely out for Pats

By PDXNYer Oct 9, 2009, 6:08am MDT

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Horsetracks_bca_medium

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZAPPA!!!!!!!

NFL Films - Week 5: Patriots vs. Broncos Preview - Video

DB - Preparing for the Elements - Zach Eisendrath
I like this - an awful lot. McD had the team practice in less-than-ideal weather yesterday (and says they'll continue to do so) in preparation for games with nasty conditions (as Sunday could prove to be). This, rather than practicing within the cozy confines of the bubble. I think back to snow games in recent years and what stands out are a couple of horrific losses on Monday Nights - one to the Colts and that idiot kicker Vanderjagt, another to Jokeland and Jerry Porter.

NFLN - Brandon Marshall interview - Video
BMarsh finally opens up, to Michael Irvin in an interview which will air Sunday morning at 9am ET on NFL Network. He admits to having erred in judgment this summer, letting his emotions getting the best of him and failing to follow his agent's advice.

N - Brandon Marshall: "It's exciting to be a Bronco" - Bob Glauber
"The second game of the season at halftime everyone left (the locker room), getting ready to go back out there and I stayed and I sat in my locker, put my head down with a towel over my head. I thought I was the only one in there and I broke down (in tears). I heard a voice and it was Brian Dawkins. He tapped me four times on my back…he said ‘Come on baby.’ And once I heard that, it’s like my teammates are with me…I’m going to get through this. And I think everything is on track, we’re on track. It’s exciting to be a Bronco." – Marshall on being benched vs. Oakland and how the experience motivated him

USAT - Taught by Belichick, McDaniels giving confidence into Broncos - Jarrett Bell
"He always told me," McDaniels said, "'If you feel that's the best way to do something, then you're probably right. Do it that way. Trust yourself and trust your instincts.' "... "One thing it means," he says, "is that there's a lot of people outside this building that really didn't know what was going on the whole time, anyway. This was never about Brandon and I disliking one another. I love coaching the kid. He practices hard. He's got great energy. He's a young kid, getting better."

Y! - Discarded Dawkins becomes Broncos' treasure - Mike Silver
"Having him here is amazing. I’ve never seen anybody like him. You can see his emotion, how passionate he is about the game. It’s wild. He’s so hyped. He’s in his moment, and you love being around him. Most of all, he can play. Guys at 23 aren’t doing what he’s doing." - Champ on BDawk

NFLTA - Dumervil's defense - Video
I'm sure it burns him, but Jamie Dukes says he thinks the Broncos have a "puncher's chance" Sunday versus the Pats. At least Eisen doesn't let him off scot-free...

NFLN - WK 5 Playbook: Patriots vs. Broncos - Video
Theismann loves the Broncos D, while Sterling loves the Pats' no-name guys.

NFL FanHouse - Picking the Brain of Bill Belichick - Thomas George
"There are a lot of impressive things about him. Very smart. The type of person you can give 10 different things to do and ask him about one of them and he will be right on top of it...The type of person who can juggle a lot of balls. And know where they all are." - Belichick talking about Josh McDaniels in a fascinating interview. Thanks to Elizabeth for the link!

SI - Denver Broncos defense in midst of staggering turnaround - Kerry J. Byrne
"the power of the Denver defense is even more impressive when viewed through the pigskin periscope of the Quality Stats that we use to rate teams at ColdHardFootballFacts.com. Quality Stats are those indicators that have a direct correlation to team-wide success."

DPP - Briefs: Dumervil plans on treating Brady like every other QB - Klis & Jones
BDawk missed practice again with a sore knee and shoulder, instead walking through drills. Ben Hamilton and Alphonso Smith were again limited participants.

DB - Legacy Game Sparks Memorable Weekend - Jim Saccomano
Sacco shares plenty of details about the AFL celebration; it goes a lot farther than just old uniforms - sounds like it'll be a great experience.

DB - Week 5 - Thu: McDaniels - Broncos TV

DB - Week 5 - Wed: Transcripts - McDaniels, Orton, Dawkins

NFL - Thursday Injury Reports

LTC - McDaniels gears up for Patriots - Brian Howell

CSG - Coach says Broncos will practice outdoors in any conditions - Frank Schwab

DPP - Q&A: Sneak not seeing much action yet - Jeff Legwold
I'm with this reader and would like to see the Broncos use the QB sneak on short-yardage situations.

DPP - Brady's year of transition - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Analysis: Brady won't get rattled — defense must be solid - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Paige: 5-0 would be a Super sign for Broncos
I'm not sure why previous 5-0 teams have anything at all to do with the Broncos' chances should they win on Sunday, but Woody seems to think he knows...

AP - Bailey relishes increase in passes coming his way - Pat Graham

DB - Tackling Hunger With a Helping Hand - Chris Gentilviso
The wives of several Broncos players worked a shift at a Denver Rescue Mission site Wednesday, serving food to the hungry.

FOX - The truth is sexy ... and so are NFL Truths - Jason Whitlock
"It's comical watching everyone fall over themselves praising Josh McDaniels for Denver's 4-0 start when the Broncos' undefeated start is the No. 1 reason McDaniels should be ripped."

ESPN - John Clayton breaks down the biggest NFL games of Week 5 - John Clayton
"A win or a loss in the showdown won't define McDaniels' start in Denver. The Patriots' former offensive coordinator has exceeded expectations by winning his first four games. His defense, in particular, has exceeded expectations."

CST - Jay Cutler for Kyle Orton: Looks like a QB draw - Neil Hayes

ESPN - Melissa Isaacson on the impact of the Kyle Orton Trade

Patriots News

NFP - Is Taylor's injury a concern in New England? - Matt Bowen

BG - Taylor had surgery today, could be done for season - Christopher Gasper
Don't get too excited; they still have Maroney, Faulk, Morris and Green-Ellis...

BH - Ankle surgery grounds Fred Taylor indefinitely - Ian Rapoport

BH - Mike Wright pays for wrong - Ian Rapoport

BH - Patriots DBs catching on - Ian Rapoport

AFC West News

NFP - Diner morning news: family feud in San Diego - Mike Lombardi

SDUT - Handing out roses - Mike Fleiss
Evaluating the Dolts' roster at the bye.

SDUT - Bye comes at good time for Bolts - Kevin Acee