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Broncos report: Line keeps Cutler on his feet

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 9, 2008 at 5:03 p.m.

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With excellent protection, Jay Cutler fires a pass against Oakland on Monday. Cutler has yet to be sacked this season, in the preseason or on Monday night.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

With excellent protection, Jay Cutler fires a pass against Oakland on Monday. Cutler has yet to be sacked this season, in the preseason or on Monday night.

Poll

Are the Chargers still a playoff-caliber team despite the loss of Shawne Merriman for the season?


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Jay Cutler experienced good, clean fun Monday night.

Playing behind a revamped offensive line on which veteran Casey Wiegmann subbed at center for injured Tom Nalen, the Broncos quarterback hardly was touched on straight drop backs and was able to roll out of play action without on-rushing defenders hindering him.

The Broncos used two tight ends extensively, with Daniel Graham often helping near the line of scrimmage, but tackles Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady, each making his first NFL start, also excelled in single matchups.

No lineman in the Broncos lineup Monday was in the same spot as the 2007 season finale, but it never showed.

"I think we got enough time together in the preseason," said right guard Chris Kuper, who made the switch from the left side, where Ben Hamilton now works. "Basically, we played a half of every game except the fourth game, and I think we're working well together."

Cutler wasn't sacked in his three preseason appearances, and that was the case again Monday. The hardest hit he took came while he was scrambling and was slammed in the open field by Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

"I don't think we exceeded our own expectations," said Harris, whose crew will get a big test from San Diego's fierce front seven Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High (2:15 p.m., CBS 4). "As a line, we wanted to do things better and run and pass. That's the thing. We've been focusing on our expectations, and if we match our expectations, we'll be OK."

Chargers lose Merriman

San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman told the Chargers he has decided to undergo surgery on his left knee.

The team is expected to place the 6-foot-4, 272-pounder on injured reserve to undergo total reconstructive surgery.

"Shawne informed me he did not feel right (on the field) and thought it best to shut it down," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible.

"Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

Merriman was trying to play with two torn ligaments in the knee, which have bothered him since the end of last season.

Etc.

* Boss Bailey, out since the preseason opener with a sprained right ankle, was in uniform Monday night, but Jamie Winborn started at strong-side linebacker. He played the entire game and made six tackles (five solo). "If anything would have happened with Jamie, I would have been in in a heartbeat," Bailey said. "But he held up out there very good and I took advantage of it and got me an extra week."

* With Brandon Marshall back from his one-game suspension, the Broncos on Tuesday opened a roster spot for him by waiving guard Dylan Gandy. A fourth-year player, Gandy signed with the Broncos as a free agent May 16 after spending his first three seasons with Indianapolis. He was inactive for Monday's game.

* The Broncos began their usual regular-season workout schedule Tuesday, bringing in four free agents as they continue to prepare their lists and rankings in case they have to replace injured players. Tuesday, they worked four defensive backs, including veteran cornerbacks Ricardo Colclough, a second-round pick by the Steelers in 2004, and Hank Poteat, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2004. Josh Bell and David Pittman also worked out.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments

  • September 9, 2008

    6:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncody writes:

    I want to take this opportunity to say that any so called "analysist" that gave the Broncos anything lower than an A- for the draft this past year is a fool. Hillis, Clady, and oh yeah ROYAL were huge! Getting three quality starters and Larsen on special teams and he is just a good team guy, plus Torain later in the season. We only got quality guys with good character and a "project" player in Williams who seems to have a world of potential. Denver never gets the respect they deserve.

  • September 10, 2008

    6:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    I don't want anyone to be injured, but I am sure glad that Merriman is not going to be playing against the Broncos. The Chargers just got about 3 clicks weaker - still a very good team - but weaker. The Broncos are going to have to bring their "A" game this week, but there's certainly hope for a "W".

  • September 10, 2008

    10:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NJBroncosFan writes:

    Too early to say.. but damn a championship would be sweet after all these years of false hopes.. Merriman out for the season may be a blessing in disguise.. No one enjoys a player injured but with Merriman out its all on the D-line of San Diego to stop the run.

  • September 10, 2008

    1:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ashley writes:

    I agree, Deimos. Look out though: the Chargers are going to come in fired up after their last-minute loss last week. Ought to be fun to watch, at any rate.

  • September 10, 2008

    1:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cutlers_the_bomb writes:

    I agree with the point that Merriman being out for the season is bad, because I'm beginning to actually gain more respect for the guy than I had for him when he was a rookie. He finally stopped doing his retarded dance, and he actually is very complimentary of other teams. When everyone is talking about the potential of Cutler having a break-out year, which is looking like it's going to happen, Merriman actually said that Cutler is going to become a monster, and that he would become almost impossible to stop in a few years. He also never says the Broncos are wimps, or that they are horrible, he actually has a lot of respect for us. He said that we probably were going to get out of the funk we were in last 2 years, and no game would ever be easy going up against our offense. I feel bad for Merriman, but I also applaud him on realizing that it wasn't going to work out, and opting to save his career instead of pushing it and possibly ruining it. I hate to say, but I think he is becoming a much classier person off the field, and while he can be a jack-you-know-what on it, that's just adrenaline.
    P.S. I still feel that we need to knock Rivers around and on his *&# a couple times. GO BRONCOS!

  • September 10, 2008

    1:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    @Broncody

    "I want to take this opportunity to say that any so called "analysist" that gave the Broncos anything lower than an A- for the draft this past year is a fool."

    It wasn't just "analysts," it was so called Broncos "fans" as well.

  • September 10, 2008

    8:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    FatTony, yeah the Sportswriters around the country gave them a "D". Even the USA Today. But that's why they are the writers and not the coaches. That's why I never put too much into what they say, when they talk bad about coaching decisions.
    Cutlers_the_bomb, yeppers, Rivers could take notes from Merriman. He is the dark stain on the Chargers, when it comes to class (or lack of it). Champ told the world what he thought of him. Our D has no love for him. Cutler is proving to Rivers that he is not only the better QB, but the better person. Hat's are off to you Jay.
    Ashley, doesn't matter how fired up the Dolts will be. We will be even MORE fired up! What, with 1st game of the year at home, Brandon back, and film to review of the Dolts loss, how can you not be stoked? It will be LOUD and the Dolts will be in for a looooong day. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!