Broncos report: Shanahan has final word on cuts, but not the only voice
The Rocky
Published August 29, 2008 at 9:44 p.m.
Photo by Matt York / Associated Press
Broncos quarterback Darrell Hackney runs the ball up field as Arizona Cardinals' Monty Beisel pursues during the first quarter Friday night.
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Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is usually not one for surprises.
So he considers the team's players forewarned about what happens now.
The Broncos, like every other team in the league, have to reduce their roster to 53 players by 2 p.m. Mountain time today. That means Friday night's game against the Cardinals was the last chance to make any kind of impression for plenty of players in uniform for the game.
"But really I talk about it so much, the competition between each other and how important each day is, each game, and this is the last game," Shanahan said. "For the twos and threes, this is it. This is the last time for some of them to compete before we make the choices.
"You can make the team by the way you play when the lights are on, and if they don't understand that after the number of times I've told them how every day matters then they haven't been paying attention."
Shanahan said it's rare for players to ask him, as the head coach, how they are doing in preseason, or where they stand on the depth chart.
Most players, he said, prefer to deal with their specific position coaches to see where they stand. Players also can see daily, by where they line up in practice and with what group, what their current standing is on the depth chart.
Shanahan also said while he does have the final say on all of the team's football matters, his is not the only vote when roster slots are decided.
"People don't always believe it, but this is not one guy thinking it, and that's what I always tell the players," Shanahan said. "We sit down with your position coaches and people who aren't in any of the (daily coaches') meetings from the personnel department - everybody's got a say. We try to get a game plan to see what's the best thing for the team."
Shanahan will try to meet with the players who are released this morning before they leave the Broncos' Dove Valley complex.
"Sometimes, just because of the schedule of things and the amount of time they spend in meetings with their position coaches and special teams and our team meetings to go with two practices a day in camp, that can mean the only time I talk to them individually for any length of time after camp starts about how they're doing is when we release them at the end," Shanahan said.
Hackney the guy
While the Cardinals used Friday night's game as the last piece of the decision about a starting quarterback - between veteran Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart, who was selected one pick ahead of Jay Cutler in the 2006 draft , the Broncos used the night to give Darrell Hackney extensive playing time.
Hackney has been the team's No. 3 quarterback in the preseason, but he was forced to start and was expected to play the whole way against the Cardinals because of an injury to Patrick Ramsey.
Ramsey is Cutler's backup. Hackney, given the Broncos have often kept just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster in Shanahan's tenure, was also playing for a roster spot.
Ramsey, who took a hard shot in last week's game against the Packers, has been sore through the week.
Hackney, who was waived by the Cleveland Browns after training camp in 2006 and spent that year out of the league, was on the Broncos' practice squad after last year's training camp before being signed to the active roster Nov. 10.
He was a game-day inactive for the Broncos' final eight games of the season.
Ramsey took a big hit on his right upper arm and elbow last week - he was sporting some scrapes and bruises on the arm after the game - and was unable to grip the ball firmly after the hit.
He threw some this week but told coaches before the team left for Arizona that he was still sore.
Hackney finished the first half 9-of-13 passing for 57 yards. Entering the game, Hackney was 7-of-12 passing in this preseason for 77 yards without a touchdown or interception.
Lonely guy
The only starter to be in full gear for the Broncos was fullback Cecil Sapp. Rookie Peyton Hillis, the only other full-time fullback on the roster, took the snaps with the offense, but Sapp was on the sideline and available if needed.
Sapp played plenty in the second quarter when Denver was in its two-back set.
The Broncos' front-line players were in uniform for the game but were not wearing shoulder pads under their jerseys.
Ramsey, linebacker Niko Koutouvides, long snapper Mike Leach and cornerback Domonique Foxworth were the game-day captains.
Etc.
* Rosters leaguewide have to be to 53 players by this afternoon. With 75 players on the roster as of Friday night, the Broncos will need to release 21 players and move wide receiver Brandon Marshall to reserve/suspended for the first week of the season.
When Marshall is moved back to the roster in the second week of the regular season, the Broncos would then have to release another player.
* Cutler and several teammates, including wide receiver Brandon Stokley, tackle Ryan Clady and center Casey Wiegmann, were attempting field goals about two hours before kickoff. Cutler made a 40-yarder.
* Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has publicly said he has not yet chosen his starting quarterback for the season despite reports Warner would be his pick. Warner started against the Broncos, going 4-of-4 for 48 yards.
Leinart entered the game on the last play of the first quarter and was sacked by Denver's Tim Crowder. Leinart played the remainder of the first half and completed his first drive by going 4-of-4 for 87 yards and a touchdown.
* Denver native Calais Campbell, who was the Cardinals' second-round pick in this past April's draft after his collegiate career at Miami, played extensively on defense for Arizona . Campbell has spent much of the preseason as the backup for defensive tackle Darnell Dockett.
He said it
"It used to be that the ASU game was always a big draw in the family every year, but this is definitely the biggest now. It's not even close."
Spencer Larsen, Broncos rookie linebacker, who hails from a Phoenix suburb and played at the University of Arizona, on Friday night's game against the Cardinals.
Once more with feeling
Friday was the fifth straight year the Broncos have concluded their preseason with a game against the Arizona Cardinals. The other four:
Date Location Result
9/2/04 Invesco Field at Mile High Cardinals 33, Broncos 21
9/2/05 Sun Devil Stadium Broncos 20, Cardinals 21
8/31/06 Cardinals Stadium Broncos 29, Cardinals 23
8/30/07 Invesco Field at Mile High Broncos 21, Cardinals 3
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August 29, 2008
11:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
OPETH72 writes:
Shanahan is a class coach. I am still belittled by all the "bashers". Year in and year out he brings what he believes is the best team to the field. Of course it doesn't always work. What organization can say otherwise? Even the mighty pats got beat in the last SB. Shanny knows the game. I guess that is why every year I go in thinking, "this is the year". He will get another ring. That is what he is dedicated to, and one reason I think the Denver Broncos are the best organization in the league. I think there is a large group of us that feel that this year is going to be special. We all have our opinions on things we believe could be better. However, I think we all know we have a really good future. A realistic good future. Something not a lot of team's supporters can say for themselves. So let the haters hate. Let the supporters support. It is going to be a great season. Go Broncos...................go Broncos.................
August 30, 2008
12:25 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Can I get an "Amen"? We will be strong this year.
August 30, 2008
8:40 a.m.
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myerda00 writes:
Kudo's to my Vegas Bronco neighbor, we will be strong.
Shanahan is very good. He really uses his coaches and especially the scouts. Goodman's and Shanahan give Bowlen a very good organization.
We do have some questionable positions to let develope but this will be a good year when we make the playoffs. Deep into the playoffs would make the year great.
August 30, 2008
8:32 p.m.
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Dusty_Piniella writes:
AFC West
Denver Broncos 10-6 (holds tiebreaker)
San Diego Chargers 10-6
Oakland Raiders 7-9
KC Chiefs 5-11
You heard it here!
August 30, 2008
9:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Anhydrous writes:
I can see that the Hater's are in for one heck of a surprise by the D Bronx this year,and for years to come,provided we stay healthy.It's time to sit back with a cold beer in hand and get ready for some great Broncos football this year.....SALUTE !!!!