Broncos finish preseason with win

Next up trimming roster by mid-day Saturday

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 29, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.

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Matt York / Associated Press

Broncos quarterback Darrell Hackney runs the ball up field as Arizona's Monty Beisel pursues during the first quarter of the teams' preseason game Friday night in Arizona.

Photo by Paul Connors / Associated Press

Broncos running back Anthony Alridge is caught by Cardinals defenders Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Matt Ware during the second quarter of Denver's 28-14 win in Glendale, Ariz.

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While the Cardinals were looking for answers in their starting offense Friday night, the Broncos were looking to simply escape University of Phoenix Stadium with their hopes and good health for '08 intact.

Escape with as few injuries as possible, escape with plenty of video of second- and third-teamers who gamely closed out the team's preseason with a 28-14 victory against the Cardinals.

It meant the Broncos finished the preseason 2-2 on an evening capped by two 87-yard scoring plays -- both came in the fourth quarter -- that decided the game.

Darrell Hackney hit Keary Colbert for an 87-yard scoring pass, and rookie cornerback Jack Williams had an 87-yard interception return for a score slightly more than three minutes later to give the Broncos the win.

Overall, the Broncos gave virtually every player who was listed on the depth chart as the starter, except fullback Cecil Sapp, and many veteran backups the night off. That expansive total included wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who will sit out the regular-season opener because of a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

Quarterback Jay Cutler, who even took a few swings as a placekicker a couple of hours before the game, didn't play. Cutler was one of the team's bright spots in the preseason, having finished with three touchdown passes and no interceptions in his three games.

Behind center Friday night, it was Hackney, with Patrick Ramsey still dealing with a right arm injury he suffered last week against the Packers. Hackney went the whole way, having faced the Cardinals' defensive starters in much of the first quarter.

The Broncos constructed a field-goal drive on their second possession of the game -- it was a 10-play, 41-yard drive they finished with Matt Prater's 32-yarder that gave them a short-lived 3-0 lead -- and Hackney then led a touchdown drive in the second quarter.

That scoring drive was also 10 plays, and the Broncos covered 74 yards, finishing it with a 1-yard run by Michael Pittman. By halftime, Hackney was 9-for-13 passing for 57 yards. He also rushed for 40 yards in the first half. He finished the game 17-for-26 passing for 208 yards to go with the TD to Colbert.

"I thought he did a good job," Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said of Hackney. "He made some big plays, especially in the fourth quarter."

For the most part, the game was about rounding out the roster for the Broncos, who have to be at the league-mandated 53-man limit by this afternoon.

Colbert, who was given a $2.5 million signing bonus as the Broncos' first real foray into the free-agency marketplace in March, got his most extensive playing time this preseason. He caught two passes for 12 yards in the first half against a mix of Cardinals starters and second-teamers.

His biggest play of the preseason came with 8 minutes, 51 seconds left in the game, when he split the Cardinals safeties and Hackney hit him in stride for what became the 87-yard catch and run for the game-deciding touchdown.

Rookie running back Anthony Alridge, also trying to make it at a crowded position, got the majority of the carries, finishing with 79 yards in the first half, including a 27-yarder. He had 99 yards by the end of the third quarter and topped the 100-yard mark early in the fourth quarter, finishing with 110.

Alridge, who was signed as an undrafted free agent, has missed some time in training camp because of a hamstring injury. Backs Selvin Young and Andre Hall didn't play Friday.

Defensively, the Broncos traditionally have kept six linebackers in recent seasons when they have made the final cuts, but undrafted rookie Wesley Woodyard might have forced his way onto the roster with his play.

Woodyard, who consistently has flashed when given opportunities, entered the game in the first half. He had two sacks of Cardinals third-string quarterback Brian St. Pierre.

Rookie linebacker Spencer Larsen, who was the team's sixth-round pick in April, could get caught in the squeeze, despite also lining up at fullback as well in practice in preseason.

Larsen, who snagged a fumble out of the air in the closing minutes after cornerback Wale Dada had knocked the ball from receiver Sean Morey, would be eligible for the practice squad.

"I was pleased with our effort," Shanahan said. "We're gonna go back and look at the film and make some decisions on who our 53-man roster will be."

The only significant injury the Broncos reported before leaving Friday night was linebacker Louis Green, who left because of a hamstring injury. His situation will be evaluated.

• August 29, 2008

  11:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  OPETH72 writes:

  2-2. I will take it. Jack Williams is a keeper. So is Russell. Go Broncos!!!

• August 30, 2008

  12:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  OPETH72, Pears had too many penalties. He is at risk. Alridge is awesome. Colbert made a nice catch and run. Hillis missed a key block. He may end up on the practice squad. I don't envy Shanahan's choices to make. We'll know by tomorrow, though, on who's a keeper. Williams did look good.

• August 30, 2008

  1:34 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  phillib writes:

  Williams reminded me just a bit of another rookie CB named Williams a few years back. He'll hang on. I've loved watching Woodyard in the pre-season. He's just worked his tail off to get a roster spot. I've been keeping an eye on him since game 1. I thought Larsen was around the ball an awful lot but it may be too little too late. Way to go Nate!! I've always liked his fire and here's hoping he keeps up the work ethic to go with it throughout the season to keep that MLB spot. Niko should keep pushing. Foxy had a tough night but what I have dug about him this pre-season is his man may make the catch but he never seems to get past Foxy. He's obviously focused on his tackling in the off-season and he brings his guy down. I liked Hackney all pre-season too. Shanny might be forced to put him on the roster to keep him and, maybe I'm crazy, but I could see him beating out Ramsey for #2 next year if they can hang onto him and Patrick doesn't stop throwing picks. Punter? Pick one! Haamza needs to wrap up after he makes the big hit! He's driving me NUTS that way. Whomever manages to stick, The Broncos will be vastly improved this year. The defense will be better although maybe not as drastically as some think, still not seeing a consistent pass rush, but the linebackers seem to be back up to par and the secondary should be solid but the D doesn't have to be a whole lot better 'casue the offense will go and go an go. I'm looking forward to a great season!!

• August 30, 2008

  2:09 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  phillib, The pass rush will be ok. Remember that this was preseason (vanilla) and 2nd, 3rd and 4th stringers. When they did blitz, it was successful. Keep the faith. Deciding on RB's will be tough. They ALL did a good job. Cecil looked good. Alridge locked in his spot. He was impressive. Decisions, decisions.....

• August 30, 2008

  6:50 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  awhite411 writes:

  Just get rid of D. Foxworth is all I ask! 8)

• August 30, 2008

  9:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  Watching film and grading after the game. The coaches have a very difficult task this morning. Alridge, Woodyard, and Williams made some vets nervous. Hillis missed a important block but IMO he will not pass waivers.
  Niko ran a very good defense and Larsen showed he can play.
  Moss and Crowder did not do much? Carrington, Birdine, and Clemons played good.
  Russell outplayed Martinez a little.
  Foxworth and Paymah got beat bad in second quarter. Now I know it is vanilla defense with no blitzing but why do they always line up 8 yards deep and watch an out route in front of them be completed. Can you say 'trade'?
  Practice squad; Dada, Harris, Birdine, Pierce, Erickson, McDaniel, ... ???
  IMO Nalen goes PUP. Maybe Ekuban also.
  Some cuts; Poole, Beck, Gandy
  Who do you keep? Pittman or Hillis?

  I am worn out, good luck coaches

• August 30, 2008

  9:23 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarcoPolo writes:

  Foxworth: He's better than Dre "Go-on-by". Pittman: gone. Russell: gone. Pears: better on the left side. Hackney: can at least throw to the orange and blue jerseys. Hillis: practice squad if they don't toss Cecil Sapp.

• August 30, 2008

  10:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Gamer writes:

  The team looked good overall. I'm happy with where they're at. I expect the following guys to be cut, but would love to see them on the practice squad, if they can get past waivers (a couple of them won't): Hillis, Larsen, Pierce, Barrett, Russell, Polumbus. Paymah's got to go. His coverage skills have never materialized and he always seems to get flagged when he's beaten at least once a game. It would be cool to see Mike pull off a trade to get late round picks for one of the punters and, maybe, Keary Colbert (are you listening, Jerry Jones?). I can't wait for the opener in the Black Hole!

• August 30, 2008

  10:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  MarcoPolo, no way is Foxworth better then Dre' at CB. Foxworth does have, however, the ability to play CB and both S positions, as well.
  awhite411, and just who do you think they would replace him with??? Paymah? Hardly. Jack Williams shows some talent but he is young and still needs to develop. I say keep them both and "can" Paymah.
  McDaniel didn't "dazzle" anybody on his return game. At least he didn't "muff the catch".
  I think Paulescu gets the nod as punter. He is very consistant.
  The hardest decision, I believe is FB. Yes, Hillis missed his assignment but he still has some raw talent. Sapp is stepping up and getting it done. Pittman can play both RB and FB if needed. Alridge isn't going anywhere. If I were Denver, I would put Torain on IR. Even if he can heal from the elbow injury in November, he won't be in football shape. Let him heal and come back next year. That way we keep Hillis at FB with Sapp.

• August 30, 2008

  11:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Woodrow writes:

  Hackney beat out Ramsey. If Ramsey sticks as the #2 we have to question why. When Ramsey is in the game you get the sense we are going to turn it over and there is very little confidence there.

  If Hackney goes the the practice squad, someone else will snag him.

• August 30, 2008

  11:59 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  gmo80, how little the Bronco fans forget last year. When he stepped in, he played very, very well. Yes, he hasn't played the best this preseason, but unlike Hackney, he doesn't have "happy feet". You can see Hackney, not reading off all his receivers. He is getting better, but I feel more comfortable, that if Jay went down, a veteran can step in who I know got the job done last time he was needed. Ramsey has the composure to step up and get it together. Hackney is an unknown. Don't crown him because he had a good game. It was preseason. Don't get me wrong, I'd like him to stay as a 3rd QB, but I don't see it happening.

• August 30, 2008

  12:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Woodrow writes:

  Dynamicdave, you make good points, however, it doesn't change the fact Ramsey was beat out in this preseason. My observation was not based on this one game.

• August 30, 2008

  6:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  charles1 writes:

  I think the broncos second team did a good job. They showed that when needed, they can come in and make some good plays, and maintain ball on offense, and hold the team when it counts on defense. I don;t like to pick on players, it that is disrespectful and shows poor judgement and lack of education of the game.

  But I have to say this about this loser jr white-boy. He continues to talk down Foxworth. I think that Champ is the best CB on the team, but I also have seen Foxworth and Paymah play, and they have the skills. Foxworth in fact I think have more upside than Paymah. He was drafted after Paymah but took control and played well. He and Paymah had a tough game last nite, but Foxworth will be back. He played excellent for the three years here, and has since camp. He was NFL ROokie of Week in 2005, the only CB drafted that year to do so.

  Many of the loser comments here talk about him not being able to get on other teams, etc. It shows you losers don't really know the game and how-why teams make decisions on restricted free agents.

  As jr white-boy loser, he's been on Denverpost talking down players also. Many of you folks do this, and I don't think it is good idea to keep it up. These players are great. I think many times bloggers that talk down players, were losers growing up and couldn't make squads, so you talk about other players. jr white probably was a ball boy, water boy, and is fat and overweight.
  Everytime I hear of you talking about Foxworth or any player on the broncos team, I'm taking a personal attack on you jr loser. Oh by the way, take a stab at me. I'm 5'9", 155, run marathons, play basketball, bachelors degree, single and have a great woman, graduated from U of Miami(gators), and love the broncos. So jr loser, you can't talk me down dude. You really can't talk down players either- they are too smart to even respond to this silliness here. Get a life loser jr loser white loser.
  Charles1

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