Broncos report

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 22, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Harry How / Getty Images

Chris Chambers

Photo by Steve Dykes / Getty Images

Broncos tight end Daniel Graham still is a maybe for the game against San Diego.

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Make a difference

The Broncos will see a more varied look from the Chargers' offense Monday night than they did in the team's last meeting in early October.

That's because the Chargers have added wide receiver Chris Chambers since, and Chambers' presence has forced opposing defenses to adjust.

"Chris has really made a difference in our football team. . . . I think it's changed the way people have to defend us," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "We were seeing people loaded up, overloading the front. . . . I think there's a mentality around the league that's been there a while that if you take (running back LaDainian Tomlinson) out of the game, stop (tight end Antonio) Gates, they're not going to be able to get enough offense."

Chambers, a Pro Bowl selection in 2005 when the Broncos staff coached the AFC squad, has 18 catches in the eight games he has played with the Chargers since they acquired him in a trade. He has had at least four catches in three of the past four games for the Chargers, all wins.

"We just have more guys defenses have to defend," Turner said. "It's helped (Tomlinson), it helped Gates and it has certainly helped (quarterback) Philip (Rivers)."

"He's done a great job," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "Any time you add a guy like that with character and ability, it helps your team."

Still a maybe

Broncos tight end Daniel Graham, who suffered a severe left ankle sprain in the loss to the Houston Texans last week, wants to play Monday against the Chargers.

"But it's still wait and see," Graham said. "It's been getting better through the week."

Shanahan had said he hoped Graham would practice Friday, but Graham didn't participate as the team went indoors on the artificial-turf field at the South Suburban complex for a little more than an hour.

Shanahan said the plan was for Graham to try to go today in a morning workout the Broncos are scheduled to have at their facility.

The Broncos certainly want Graham on the field against the Chargers' 3-4 look on defense. Denver traditionally has played plenty of two-tight end formations against the Chargers in the past to try to bolster the edges of its offensive formation because of the San Diego pass rushers.

In the Oct. 7 meeting, a 41-3 San Diego win, the Broncos played two-tight end looks on 62 percent of their offensive snaps.

"We'll try him (today) to see how he looks," Shanahan said. "That's why we're practicing (today) - it's like a normal Friday, gives him a little more recovery time."

Holiday wishes

Spending his days with an NFL team is a far cry from working out a fitness club and doing odd jobs at a hotel near Fort Myers, Fla., to pay the bills. But Broncos kicker Matt Prater is hoping to make his audition last.

Prater, whom the Broncos have taken a long look at as a kickoff specialist, was signed off the Dolphins practice squad this week. He has been in Miami since November, but before that, he had to make ends meet.

"I went back and worked a real job," Prater said. "I worked out around the schedule at the hotel. I didn't do a ton of kicking and I should have, because when I went to Miami, I was a little rusty. I thought they'd cut me after the first week, but they stuck with me. A free-agent kicker like me, you're just trying to do all you can to stay in the league. I always hope it works out."

To be active for the game Monday, the Broncos would have to elect to keep three kickers in uniform on the 45-man game-day roster. Jason Elam will handle field goals and Paul Ernster will punt.

If the Broncos keep Prater active, he would kick off; if they don't, Ernster would handle kickoffs.

Over and out

The Broncos and Chargers have seen much of their fortunes swing on turnovers this season:

Chargers

Category W-L

Win turnover margin 8-0

Lose turnover margin 1-4

Even turnover margin 0-1

Broncos

Category W-L

Win turnover margin 5-2

Lose turnover margin 0-6

Even turnover margin 1-0

Etc.

* Receiver Rod Smith has had T-shirts made in the past with "Undrafted Athletics" printed across the front because he made the Broncos as an undrafted player - he was signed to the practice squad - in 1994.

This week, he gave one of the shirts to Broncos receiver Glenn Martinez, whom the Broncos signed as a free agent before the season. Martinez was an undrafted player who was released by the Lions, several times, and the Steelers in his career before playing this season with Denver.

* The Chargers have limited Rivers' work some in practice this week. Rivers has been playing on a sprained knee.

Injury report

* In addition to Graham, linebacker Ian Gold (right knee) did not participate in practice Friday. The two have not practiced yet this week. Shanahan said Gold might try to do a little work today.

* Receiver Brandon Stokley (left knee) was limited in practice. Stokley injured the knee in Oakland earlier this month, caught only one pass - it was for a touchdown - against the Chiefs and did not play in Houston last week.

* For the Chargers, they are still hoping linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), who was limited in practice Friday, can play.

Numbers game

6times the Broncos have surrendered at least 30 points in a game this season. They surrendered at least 30 points seven times in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons combined. The Broncos are 0-13 in those games.

He said it

"Even in high school, first-year starter did OK, second-year starter got better, third-year starter really blew up. That's where I want go from here, keep taking my game up, do more, make things happen."

Elvis Dumervil, Broncos defensive end, on his plans for next season with a career-high 11 sacks this season with two games to play.

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2359

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