Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Broncos report: Depth got deeper with Lowry, Shaw

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 17, 2008 at 5:39 p.m.

Text size  

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Calvin Lowry made an immediate contribution against the Chargers.

Calvin Lowry made an immediate contribution against the Chargers.

Defensive tackle Josh Shaw was added to the Broncos depth chart 12 days ago.

Defensive tackle Josh Shaw was added to the Broncos depth chart 12 days ago.

Broncos quick links

Drew on the NFL
Drew Litton
Scores and statistics
Broncos inbox

Related Links

Related Stories

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly included Green Bay in a list of top 10-scoring teams remaining on the Broncos' schedule.

The Broncos added safety Calvin Lowry and defensive tackle Josh Shaw to their defensive depth chart 15 and 12 days ago, respectively, before they faced the Chargers on Sunday.

Yet, there was Lowry, playing in Denver's six-defensive-back package while Shaw was taking a regular rotation on the defensive line.

"That's what you hope for," Shaw said Wednesday. "It didn't work out for you someplace else, but you come in here and try to keep your head down, keep working and get on the field."

Shaw was among the Raiders' final roster cuts as training camp ended, and Lowry was waived by the Titans in their last round of cuts.

Lowry has a full plate of special-teams work to go with his situational work on defense. The former fourth-round pick by the Titans said learning the playbook quickly was difficult, but not as tough as dealing with why "Denver" and "mile high" often appear in the same sentence together.

"The thing that was toughest was playing in the altitude," Lowry said. "You can get in practice shape. I've been practicing for two weeks leading up to that game, and it wasn't too bad, but playing in the game with the adrenaline and everything, it takes it out of you.

"Hopefully, as I play more, it should get a little easier to deal with. But I never thought it would be like that for a game. I played here last year (with the Titans) on a Monday night, and I felt it some, but I just didn't expect that - it was like a smack in the face."

The Broncos are Shaw's fifth team as he begins his sixth season in what, at times, has been an uphill struggle to stay in the league. He was out of football in 2006 and played in nine career games in his previous five seasons combined.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has called him a "hungry" player, and Shaw played almost half of the game Sunday with a cut on his lower leg big enough to require 40 stitches.

"It happened right after halftime. I looked down and saw some blood, so when there was a timeout, I just sprayed some water on it," Shaw said. "And then when I got to the sideline after a couple plays, I just told them to wrap it up because it didn't hurt that bad. You're playing and you've got that adrenaline and everything.

"After the game, though, I was like, 'Wow,' and I really looked at it and it was like I got bit by a shark."

Shaw, who signed Sept. 2, said after the preseason he believed he would make the Raiders' 53- man roster.

"But then they said I was too light," Shaw said. "They had guys 330, 350, 320, but I was 295, so they thought I was too light. But I figured I was all right after the way I played in the preseason. Just shows you, you never know. I'll just keep working and hope for the best."

Late cut Russell glad to be back

The Broncos filled the open roster spot created with the trade of wide receiver Keary Colbert to the Seahawks by re-signing Clifford Russell. Russell was with the Broncos in training camp and at one point was ahead of Colbert, who had signed a deal in free agency with the Broncos during the offseason that included a $2.5 million bonus, and Samie Parker, another of the team's signees.

Russell, a sixth-year pro who has spent time with the Bengals, Dolphins, Redskins and Lions, could even be the backup kickoff returner against the Saints on Sunday, considering Darrell Jackson is dealing with a calf injury and Eddie Royal hasn't fielded kickoffs because he's starting at wide receiver.

"After you see what they did in the first two games, you have to be glad to be back here," Russell said.

"I watched the (Chargers) game at a friend's house and I kept telling them, 'Denver is a real good football team.' "

The Titans had expressed some preliminary interest after Russell's release by the Broncos but didn't bring him in for a visit.

"So I just worked out, tried to stay in shape, tried to be diligent about that, just in case," Russell said.

He had tied for the team lead in receptions in the preseason with Brandon Marshall and Michael Pittman, with 10.

Repair work

The Broncos enter the week with the NFL's 27th-ranked defense in yards allowed per game, 29th against the pass and 26th in points allowed per game.

Coach Mike Shanahan said he liked the defense's effort, particularly in run defense against the Chargers, but added, "We know we still have work to do."

Said linebacker Boss Bailey: "I've been saying when you looked at it, I just feel like it wasn't anything that we can't fix."

With the No. 1 offense in the league in yards per game - that's how the NFL ranks its offenses - the 26-spot gap between the offensive and defensive rankings is the biggest in the league. The second largest? The Saints, with the 10th-ranked offense and 29th-ranked defense.

Keep it going

Starting Sunday, the Broncos will have three games remaining against offenses that are currently in the league's top 10 in points per game.

Opponent Rank Points

San Diego 5 31.0

Buffalo 7t 27.0

New Orleans 9t 24.0

Etc.

* Guard Ben Hamilton said he doesn't expect to be fined for a chop-block penalty against the Chargers. Hamilton and Ryan Clady were flagged for a block on defensive end Igor Olshansky, with Hamilton going low and Clady having put a hand on Olshansky's shoulder.

* The Broncos worked out three safeties this week, including Glenn Earl, who started 15 games for the Texans in '06 before missing last season because of a fractured foot. Also in were Vernon Fox, who has started 11 games in six previous seasons in the league, and Daren Stone, who was in training camp with the Bears.

* In addition to Jackson (calf) and Shaw (leg) being held out of practice Wednesday, linebacker Louis Green was limited because of his hamstring injury.

* The Saints held five players out of practice - safety Josh Bullocks (heel), wide receiver Terrance Copper (hamstring), linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle) and defensive tackle Antwan Lake (groin). Cornerback Randall Gay (illness) and safety Roman Harper (hamstring) also were limited.

* Former Broncos Cecil Sapp and Chad Mustard had workouts in Houston this week.

* The NFL notified teams Wednesday that former Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun has been suspended for four games. Sauerbrun is an unsigned free agent. His suspension began in the first week of the regular season.

He said it

"Probably all P.E. majors who probably couldn't pass the math for business."

Saints coach Sean Payton, on being one of three Eastern Illinois University alums who are NFL head coaches. Shanahan and Brad Childress are the others.

Comments

  • September 17, 2008

    8:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    Yeah Lowry and Shaw....you guys really accomplished a lot against San Diego... Maybe that's why we gave up 38 points....
    Im gonna take the pressure off Lowry, because he was a safetly, but Shaw played like half the game and got zero pressure... Goes to show what d-line we have here in Denver.

  • September 17, 2008

    10:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    12thmaniac writes:

    Wow how quick we forgett that SD is still considered the most talented team in football. I agree Denver's D needs some work but SD is no push over. After all that have been a nearly unstopable offense for the last 3 years no matter who they play. If the D is still letting teams score that many points per game by week 8 then your beef can be justified. Not to mention that both those guys are 2nd stringers that just got here.

  • September 17, 2008

    10:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncody writes:

    Don't be hating on Shaw. Playing with a gash that required 40 stitches is no easy feat. San Diego is a good offensive team and they showed their skill. Any man who will play through the pain and care more about being on the field than his own personal health is more then welcome on the Bronco's roster.

  • September 18, 2008

    10:29 a.m.

    lets_B_Real writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • September 18, 2008

    11:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RustyWon writes:

    San Diego was missing two starters on the offensive line and we still had a tough time.
    There is no question our defense needs to put more pressure on the quarterback.
    Brees will carve us up more than Rivers did if we don't improve.

    I have confidence we will get it figured out, but we can't repeat our effort last week and expect different results.

    GO BRONCOS!!

  • September 18, 2008

    3:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    Broncody,
    You kinda proved my point. Why is a guy who has 40 stitches still playing? I can understand if he was actually DOING something on the field, but i didn't see the D-Line stop the run or rush the pass.
    So what gives? Why is he even on the field injured?