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Broncos report: Boss Bailey solid in his opener

The Rocky

Published September 15, 2008 at 5:15 p.m.

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Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he was pleased with linebacker Boss Bailey's first action of the regular season. Bailey was credited with six tackles Sunday against the San Diego Chargers to tie for the team lead with his brother, Champ.

Boss Bailey had suffered a severely sprained ankle in the preseason opener in Houston and was held out of the opener against the Raiders.

The Broncos used Jamie Winborn, who started in Bailey's strong-side linebacker spot against the Raiders, to spell Bailey on six plays against the Chargers.

"I knew I probably wouldn't be able to play every snap, so it's great to have a great backup who is ready to go," Bailey said. "He was always watching me and came right in."

Tough times

Broncos running back Andre Hall, who rushed for 31 yards on seven carries, was not with the team Monday, having returned to Florida for his mother's funeral.

Hall's mother died Sept. 8 and Hall played against the Raiders.

Shanahan said Broncos safety Marquand Manuel was given a game ball after the win because his 2-year-old daughter, Madison, has been hospitalized.

"He's been working through practice with his daughter not in very good shape, in the hospital," Shanahan said.

Shanahan said he was uncertain why Manuel's daughter was in the hospital.

Etc.

* Broncos defensive tackle Josh Shaw needed 40 stitches to close a wound in his calf after the game. Shanahan said Shaw played about a half with the injury before getting it treated after the game. "There was a hole in his leg. Just shows you mental toughness some of these guys have," Shanahan said. "(We) didn't know how big the cut was until after the game."

* The Broncos reported no other significant injuries from the game.

* The Saints signed former Broncos tight end Billy Miller on Monday. Miller was a seventh- round draft pick by the team in 1999, the same year the Broncos took Al Wilson in the first round.

He said it

"Good thing to have good job security, you can do those things. It's a gutsy call."

Brandon Stokley, Broncos receiver, on Shanahan going for a two-point conversion instead of a tie Sunday.

Numbers game

2003 was the last time the Broncos started a season 3-0. They started 4-0 that year on the way to 10-6 and a 41-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC wild-card game.

Comments

  • September 16, 2008

    9:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jugdish writes:

    The offense is a running back away from becoming a juggernaut!
    The Patriots sure can't figure out how to use Lawrence Maroney.
    It's a total mystery. Watch how hard he runs.
    Maybe we can sign him in the off-season.
    As for the defense...it has a long way to go.
    Champ, Elvis, Marcus and D.J. look pretty good.
    Nate Webster plays with passion.
    Manual and McCree are an upgrade over last year.
    Engelberger and Ekuban are servicable.
    Jury is still out on Boss and Robertson.
    Bly is suspect.
    Paymah gets smoked too often.
    Moss and Crowder look like busts.
    With the "O" putting up such huge numbers...
    Broncos need to get other players in there to see how they perform...rookie Jack Williams needs a shot at nickel.

  • September 16, 2008

    10:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cutlers_the_bomb writes:

    I agree jugdish, however, I think that we may have the running back; the only problem is that he is hurt right now. I think that Torain might very well be the bruising, if not possibly every down back we haven't had since Mike Anderson's rookie year, or Clinton Portis. I think that Torain and Young will be the main backs, with Andre Hall as a reserve, because they all run hard, and you don't want to get in the situation of having to sign another running back because all of your other backs got hurt. Torain is 6-0, 225 pounds of near solid muscle, with a good 40 yard dash time. Selvin Young has great vision, is a great change of pace back, and is pretty much one tackle away from a home run almost every time he gets the ball, and he isn't that small or afraid to stick his head in either. Andre Hall has good speed and runs with passion and the desire to reach the end zone every time he runs the ball. With Pittman, we have a running back who can also play fullback, receiver, and tailback, so we have a very versatile, tough, and talented running back core. With the defense, I actually think we made good choices in Robertson and Boss. Boss is even faster than I thought, as he is athletic enough to keep up with Gates, and Robertson is a big body that is strong enough to move the pile, quick enough to rush the passer (which was tough for him because they double teamed him a lot last Sunday), and has enough experience to notice and realize a screen set up (like Kenny Peterson did; they aren't going to catch our D-line by surprise that easy, huh?). Really, we don't have a terrible defense; it's just that we allowed a lot of big plays, but NONE were on the ground (not one rush over 20 yards, and they ran for only 80 yards on us.), and if we develop a pass rush, our corners don't have to cover for as long. The way I see it, our defense can only go up, and I think that our linebackers are one of the most underrated groups in the league, and our line does play hard, it's just they need help in the form of more blitzes.

  • September 16, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    KindaWeak writes:

    Another thing to keep in mind is, as much as I hate his personality, that Phillip Rivers was a d**n good quarterback Sunday. His long throw to Chambers for a touchdown against Bailey was perfect, otherwise it would have never gotten through given Bailey's near perfect coverage on that play.

    I am also wondering why no one is bringing up the questionable call on Chamber's short touchdown where the replay looked pretty clear that he never had control (that did actually give SD a touchdown, while the bad call that went in Denver's favor just let them keep the ball)? I was screaming at the TV for Shanahan to throw the challenge flag as I saw Chambers run to the sideline and tell the coaches to hurry the extra point try (which they did) to prevent a challenge. Based upon the replay and his actions I am pretty sure that Chambers realized that he never established control (he bobbled the ball initially, might have had control for his first foot although I am not sure of that since it looked like he just trapped the ball against his body for a split second as he tried to gain control, and then Paymah knocked the ball out of his hand before his second foot ever came down) and wanted to make sure that his mistake wasn't called back. It was third and goal so a reversal there would have probably meant San Diego going for 3 and Denver being under less pressure to score (and maybe even giving them a emotional boost). I just want to point out that I think Denver also had to deal with a bad call, but no one here is whining about that.

  • September 16, 2008

    12:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncodano writes:

    Ya, i am still scraping flem off of the television after the bobbled catch by Chambers in the endzone was NEVER looked at.

    Charger fans are sooo quick to hammer Ed Hoculie for his bad call, but forget the broncos had their share of bad calls or lack of them.

    During the sproles return for the td, a bronco player got blocked into the back.. again, no call.

    Now thats 14 points given to the Chargers. We had to EARN our points off of the bad calls.

    but who cares.

    2 and ZERO baby...

    bd

  • September 16, 2008

    8:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    broncodano, the whiners will always be there. They will make excuses for whatever they can to justify their loss. Was it a bad call? Sure it was, but as you said, there were a few bad calls (or failure to even make a call) against Denver. That's football. I said they would make excuses after they lose and I was 100% correct. I'm over $500 richer from these past 2 games and I will take these winnings and put it on the next one with NO. I only bet my own money on the 1st week and then strictly bet the winnings from then on. Let the good times roll. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!