Denver Broncos

Broncos defensive back is back on the field after collapse

2006-12-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Domonique Foxworth's memory of what happened after Sunday's game is hazy, but the Denver Broncos defensive back said he didn't believe he was dying.

Foxworth had trouble breathing and his heart raced in the locker room. He was attended to by the Broncos' training staff as teammates watched and worried.

"It didn't cross my mind that I was going to die or anything, but it didn't feel good," Foxworth said.

He was hyperventilating. After being checked out by the training staff, he didn't need further tests or a trip to the hospital.

With some time to reflect on the incident, Foxworth said he thought about San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion's death. Herrion collapsed in the locker room at Invesco Field at Mile High and died after a preseason game Aug.20, 2005. The 49ers play at Denver this Sunday.

"It's a dangerous game, especially playing the 49ers and what happened the last time they came here," Foxworth said. "It's something that comes to mind quite often, and things like that even though my situation wasn't that serious, now that I think about it that's what comes to mind. At that time I was thinking about `Why can't I breathe?'"

Foxworth said trainers told him afterward that the worst-case scenario was he would black out, and his breathing and heart rate would return to normal. His teammates and coaches had no way of knowing that at the time, and many described a scary feeling as they huddled around Foxworth as trainers worked on him.

Foxworth was down for about four or five minutes before he started breathing normally. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was about to give a postgame speech when Foxworth started having problems.

"I know, at the time, it was very serious," Shanahan said after the game.

After practice Wednesday, Foxworth seemed uncomfortable talking about what happened. Foxworth didn't speak to the media after the game Sunday.

"I just came in and I remember people talking to me and I was breathing really heavy," Foxworth said. "Then the breathing heavy part was kind of a blur. Then I remember regaining everything, and there were like six people in front of me and I felt real stupid. It was like, get away from me, I'm fine now."

Foxworth's problems came after one of his best games. Foxworth became a starting safety earlier this month, even though he had barely played the position. He moved back to his natural position of cornerback when the Broncos used a nickel defense with five defensive backs, which they used almost the entire game against Cincinnati.

Foxworth led the Broncos with 14 tackles against the Bengals. He hurt his chest early in the game, but said it's not unusual to get be hurt during a game and didn't think it led to his hyperventilation. He started getting a bit concerned when the Broncos' offense had a 99-yard drive that took 7:17 off the clock, and he still couldn't catch his breath.

"The majority of the second half, I wasn't feeling quite right," Foxworth said.

The only reminder of his incident after Sunday's game was reporters asking about it. He practiced Wednesday and said he had no lingering effects from what happened.

"I'm fine now," Foxworth said. "That's all that matters."

Tomlinson on an impressive run

2006-11-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

Pro football players, as a group, are usually short on high praise.

Their egos won’t allow much to impress them. The road they traveled to reach the NFL desensitizes their capacity for awe. Their desire to be tough makes it unacceptable to marvel at opponents.

“But when you talk about LT,” Denver Broncos safety Nick Ferguson explained, “that’s a different cat.”

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson comes to town Sunday night with the most momentum of any player in the league. Although he hasn’t played well historically in Denver, the Broncos are preparing as if they’re facing the best player to ever carry a football.

“What he’s doing right now is scary to me,” Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. “Good players are missing tackles — I mean whiffing. I think he’s great.”

This year, Tomlinson is second in the NFL with 932 rushing yards and leads the league with 18 touchdowns. He has scored 15 times in the last five games, which breaks a record set by Hall of Fame back Jim Brown.

He leads his team in receptions with 44, and threw a touchdown pass in Week 7. Historically, his name is starting to float in the same perspective as legendary backs Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, Gale Sayers and Walter Payton.

“I think he’s the best running back I’ve ever seen in professional football,” Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “I happen to think because of his versatility and his ability as a playmaker and a leader, he stands at the top.”

When asked Wednesday how the Broncos expect to stop Tomlinson, Ferguson shook his head.

“Just like Michael Jordan and Barry Sanders, you hope to contain him. But that’s not gonna happen,” Ferguson said. “The ability to try to take away everything is going to be almost impossible.”

Broncos tight end Stephen Alexander, who played two seasons with Tomlinson in San Diego, also gushed.

“Honestly the guy is unbelievable,” Alexander said. “He will run between the tackles, he’s a great blocker and he catches the ball really well. He can run with power, he has speed and he has quickness.

“He is definitely the total package, and I know our guys will have their work cut out for them this week trying to contain him.”

As good as Tomlinson has been, he has yet to show that dominance in Denver. In five games at Invesco Field, he’s averaged 52.8 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry) and has not rushed for more than 75 yards in a single game.

In four of those games, he has not scored a rushing touchdown. The exception is last season, when he scored two. Not coincidentally, the Chargers have not won a game in Denver since Tomlinson was drafted in 2001.

“I haven’t had the ball much in Denver,” Tomlinson said. “They end up taking me out of the game, whether we get behind and we’re not running the ball much. That’s been the case.”

There’s a chance those days are over. With the quick maturation of quarterback Phillip Rivers, Tomlinson is no longer the only driving force behind San Diego’s attack.

For the first time in a long time, the Chargers have enough weapons to make Denver pay for focusing on one player.

“They have all kinds of variety in their offense,” Coyer said. “They’ve done everything. They’re very imaginative. That’s what makes them good.”

But behind any improvements from last season, what scares the Broncos most about San Diego’s offense is still Tomlinson, who has played the best football of his career over the last five weeks.

And even if the Broncos players aren’t usually the kind to compliment, they can’t help themselves this week.

“All I need to describe him is one word: spectacular,” Ferguson said.

Broncos not quite good enough

2006-10-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

A rhetorical question really, but here it is. Would you rather have the Denver Broncos Jake Plummer at quarterback from in front or the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning at quarterback from behind?

Just as it had not been Plummer's fault that the Broncos won five football games in a row, neither was it his fault that the Broncos lost to the Colts on Sunday, and that is the limit of encouragement on a day when the Broncos led the football game three times and tied it late.

"We still consider ourselves a good football team," said Broncos receiver Rod Smith, not that anyone was arguing with him. "There's a lot of season left and we just need to look forward and get better."

The Broncos may actually be a better football team after this game than they were before it. They are certainly a more complete and balanced team, equal on both sides of the ball, the offense better, the defense a little worse, but a more promising mixture.

This is also the truth. Had any other quarterback but Peyton Manning been on the other team, the Broncos would have won whistling. Just as had it been almost any other defense but the Colts' helping Jake Plummer find his groove again, things would be as they were.

The Broncos were as close to being the AFC's leading light for the Super Bowl as they are likely to get. They came into the game aiming at everything, and they left hopeful of something less, the greatest possibility that these two teams will do this again.

The poor Colts must now confirm or contradict their greatness every week. The Broncos get to go play Pittsburgh while the Colts will have to play the 1972 Dolphins until they lose a football game.

Not that there will be enough tears shed in Denver over the Colts' dilemma to wet a contact lens.

The short version of what happened Sunday was a Broncos defense whispered among the storied defenses of the NFL could not keep Manning from being Manning.

"He amazes me," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

That's Manning whom Shanahan is talking about, but on this day, the more amazing quarterback was Plummer.

Manning does this all the time, 28 times now rescuing late the Colts from doom, while Plummer does not routinely drive the Broncos down the field, certainly not lately, not 80 yards three times and 91 yards another.

This was Plummer rising above expectations. That was Manning meeting them.

"This was not unusual for (Manning)," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "We've had a lot of games like that. People try to do different things against him, and he just follows his reads. We've been running the same plays for seven years, and Peyton just knows where the ball is going."

Into the heart of the other team, like a dagger.

"You cannot give Manning five seconds to throw the ball every time," Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "There are no excuses. This falls on the defense."

The game tactic of pressuring Manning seems contrary to what the Broncos had spent their draft and trades doing since those playoff embarrassments to the Colts. Instead of allowing the Broncos defensive backs to prove the strategy was working, that they could indeed cover Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, Shanahan chose to try to flummox Manning with a pass rush.

Neither worked. Manning is the ultimate fussbudget, micromanaging his team and the game clock and aggravating the defense often for no real reason.

Manning dared to challenge cornerback Champ Bailey rarely but exploited Darrent Williams cheerfully.

"(Williams) will bounce back," said Wayne, who caught 10 passes and all three of Manning's touchdowns and the two-point conversion that made the ending possible. "I've seen him on film, and he makes plays all the time. I'm not going to apologize to him. . . . I just refuse to lose no matter who is on the other side of the ball."

Nice condescension on Wayne's part. But better to say nice things for the next time.

"They are both excellent corners," Manning said. "When you throw against Bailey and Williams, that is why you work so hard in April, May and June and start running routes. You practice like you always have Champ Bailey covering. You have to throw a perfect pass on a perfect route."

Nice condescension on Manning's part, too. Praise the corners you have just humiliated. Set them up for the next time.

The Broncos must hope there is a next time because the Colts will be obviously waiting, while the Broncos must now reposition themselves in a division yet to be won, chasing a first-round bye that is yet to be earned.

Not only are the Chargers still ahead twice but the Kansas City Chiefs have become suddenly vital again.

The Broncos may go back to work quietly, just another team that is not the Colts, while the Colts get to race the Chicago Bears for national glory.

The dogs bark. The caravan moves on.

Now the Broncos must catch up.

Droughns eager for Broncos reunion

2006-10-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

BEREA, Ohio - Reuben Droughns is planning to run into a few old friends this weekend. He's not expecting any hugs or kisses during the reunion. The Denver Broncos are going to treat him much more rudely.

"It's going to be fun," Cleveland's running back said of the upcoming matchup against his former team. "I'm sure they're going to try to tee off on me, just like I'm going to try to tee off on them."

Tee time for Droughns and the Browns (1-4) is Sunday as they return from their bye week to take on the Broncos (4-1), who have won four straight games and are limiting opponents to an NFL-low 7.4 points per game.

It will be Droughns' first game against the Broncos since they traded the 28-year-old to Cleveland on March 30, 2005, for defensive linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers - two of the club's mainstays up front.

Although Droughns was coming off a 1,240-yard season in 2004, he wasn't guaranteed a starting job the next season as Broncos coach Mike Shanahan planned to give Tatum Bell a shot to be the club's lead tailback in training camp.

That, coupled with Droughns wanting a raise from the Broncos and Shanahan needing to fill holes on his defensive line, prompted the trade, requested by Droughns and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

At the time, Droughns wasn't so happy about the deal but insists he has no grudge against his former coach.

"There are no hard feelings," Droughns said. "They gave me an opportunity to make some money. I've praised Mike for that. He gave me an opportunity to make a name for myself with someone else."

And that's exactly what Droughns did, carving his name into Cleveland's record books last season.

He rushed for 1,232 yards, becoming the first Browns back since 1985 to bust the 1,000-yard plateau. It was a personal breakout for the third-round draft pick from Oregon, but he doesn't view it as validation of his ability or retribution against Shanahan or the Broncos for dealing him.

"The trade worked out the best for both of us," he said. "They got what they wanted on the D-line and the Browns got what they wanted at running back and surpassed something they hadn't had in 20 years. There's no regret there. It was about that time."

Droughns' 2006 season has gotten off to a slow start.

In his first two games, he picked up just 59 yards on 25 carries as the Browns were forced to play from behind and throw. In Week 2 at Cincinnati, Droughns injured his right shoulder in a collision with Bengals linebacker David Pollack, who broke his neck and was lost for the season.

Droughns was inactive for Cleveland's next game against Baltimore, but returned the following week to run for 100 yards on 25 carries against Oakland. In the Browns' final game before their bye, he picked up 65 yards against Carolina, but seemed tentative while hitting holes.

Earlier this week, Droughns said the shoulder bothered him.

"I've been kind of cautious," he confessed. "Hopefully now that it's better I'll be able to hit a little harder with it."

Given their struggles on offense, the Browns need Droughns at full speed to have any chance at beating the Broncos, who have given up just one touchdown this season. Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said he isn't worried about his top back being too excited about showing his former team what he can do.

"I think that could be an issue sometimes, but I don't think that will be the case with Reuben," he said. "If anything, that might make him more fired up because that's his old team and he wants to be more effective. He wants to prove the point that he's a good runner and not necessarily a fullback."

Shanahan said he had no intention of using Droughns as a fullback, and that he only traded him out of necessity.

"Reuben wanted a raise, which I thought he rightfully deserved after the type of year he had," Shanahan said. "I thought it would work out best for him to be 'the guy' with the type of year he had. In return, we could get some more depth on our defensive line. I hated to lose Reuben because he was a quality guy as well as an excellent football player."

Denver has churned out five 1,000-yard backs under Shanahan. That statistic has given credence to the theory the Broncos' system can turn any running back into a star. But Droughns knows his big season for Cleveland in '05 showed he's pretty capable, too.

"I'm still trying to build on it," he said. "I know I have a long way to go. Hopefully, by season's end, my name will be a little better around this town."

Broncos Getting It Done With 'D'

2006-10-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mike Shanahan's teams in Denver have always been feared for their relentless running game, but lately, the Broncos defense has turned the tables in its favor.

The Broncos were impressive as they improved to 2-1 on the season with a 17-7 victory over the New England Patriots on the road on Sunday. It was the second straight time the Pats were handed a loss by Denver, after the Broncos posted a 27-13 victory over New England in last year's AFC Divisional Playoff game at Mile High.

Overall, the Patriots gained 370 yards on offense, but Denver really set the stage for this win with its run defense. New England gained just 50 yards on 21 carries, and Laurence Maroney was the leading rusher with 18 yards on 12 attempts. The Broncos took advantage of the absence of Pats starting RB Corey Dillon, who left the game with an arm injury after carrying the ball five times for 16 yards.

"For our defense to step up and limit the rushing yards was pretty impressive because they were very impressive the first couple of games running the football," said Shanahan. "It was a great challenge for our defense."

Denver's defense actually looked like it was headed to another game without allowing a touchdown, but that ended when New England went to the hurry-up offense.

The Broncos hadn't surrendered a TD this season after keeping both St. Louis and Kansas City out of the end zone in the opening two weeks of the season.

However, the Patriots gave them problems when they sped their offensive attack up early in the fourth quarter. New England QB Tom Brady thrived with the no- huddle against Denver, and led the Pats downfield on an 80-yard touchdown drive in just 3:50. He completed 10-of-10 passes on the drive, which ended on an eight-yard TD strike to Doug Gabriel that made it a 17-7 game with 9:13 left in the game.

The Broncos would adjust to the hurry-up on the next drive, as Brady and the Patriots were forced to punt after a three-and-out.

The key to Denver's success on defense this season seems to be an ability to shut down one aspect of the opposing offense's gameplan, or to come up with that one big stop when needed.

In the opening week, the Broncos lost in St. Louis, but they were still able to contain Rams quarterback Marc Bulger and his explosive receivers.

Then in the home opener against the Chiefs, Denver surrendered 126 yards on the ground to Larry Johnson, but were able to keep L.J. out of the end zone. The key stop on that day came when the Broncos forced Johnson to fumble in the red zone, ending a lengthy drive.

"It's the NFL and it's something we can hang our hat on for tonight, but then you move on to the next challenge," Broncos safety John Lynch said after the win over the Pats.

So far, rising to the challenge has yet to be a problem for this defense.

WELCOME WALKER

Wide receiver Javon Walker seems to be getting better with every game and he had a breakout game against the Patriots this week.

Walker, who came over in a draft day trade with Green Bay, exploded for 130 yards and two touchdowns on three catches. He snared a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jake Plummer with 50 seconds left in the second quarter, and gave Denver a 17-0 edge on an 83-yard TD haul early in the fourth quarter.

A Pro Bowl selection for the 2004 season, Walker missed all but one game last year with a torn ACL, that injury coming after he had become involved in a contract dispute with Green Bay management and demanded a trade.

Now Walker seems to finally be back to his former self.

"I'm feeling good," Walker said. "Like I've always said, for a receiver, if you can get opportunities to make plays, we just try to do that. That's the confidence I had when I was in Green Bay and hopefully that's the kind of confidence I'm trying to bring here to the offense."

On the season, Walker has 11 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns.

UP NEXT

The Broncos have a bye next week and will return on October 9 (Monday Night) for a home battle against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Arms Race in the AFC East Takes on a New Look

2006-05-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

By Mike BrodyWagerWeb.com Contributing WriterThe quarterback position has always been the most important position for any NFL team. Having a confident field general is essential for any team that wants to go deep into the playoffs. Nowhere is that more evident than in the AFC East.Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have dominated the division since Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe three games into the 2001 season. Now the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills are all trying to find that diamond in the rough like the Patriots did when they selected Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.Daunte the DolphinMiami is coming off a 9-7 season and has some quality skill position players. The Dolphins' biggest problem the last few seasons has been at quarterback. Miami has had immortals such as A.J. Feely, Jay Fielder, Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels taking snaps in the last three seasons.Now the Dolphins think they've solved their problem. The Dolphins traded for former Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper and former Detroit signal caller Joey Harrington this off-season to sure up their weakness. The problem is, both QBs are huge question marks. Chances are, Miami will be searching for answers at the QB position again this season.Culpepper will be the starter if he's healthy. The 6'4'', 260 lb veteran was in the midst of his worst season as a pro when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury during the seventh game of the 2005 season. He had thrown just 6 touchdowns and 12 interceptions at the time of his injury. The season before, however, Culpepper was an All-Pro as he tossed 39 TDs and just 11 INTs while posting an impressive 110.9 quarterback rating. He would have been league MVP had it not been for Peyton Manning's record-breaking season.Back-up PlanCulpepper is optimistic that he'll be done with rehab and ready for the start of the season, but that's wishful thinking. Miami will probably open the season with Harrington at the helm and that could leave the Fins in a big hole right off the bat.The former University of Oregon star has never fulfilled the promise of being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Despite having talented wide receivers and running backs around him, Harrington floundered in his 4 years with the Lions, throwing two more interceptions than touchdowns while leading the Lions to just 18 victories in 51 starts.The Dolphins have another intriguing option in their camp: Marcus Vick, the troubled younger brother of Atlanta QM Michael Vick. The odds are better that Vick will be in police custody rather than a Dolphins uniform come September, but if Nick Saban and the coaching staff can find a way to keep Vick on the field, he could offer Miami some insurance in case Culpepper and Harrington falter. Vick will most likely be made into a wide receiver anyway, but he could end up being used in several roles similar to the original slash, Kordell Stewart.Still SearchingThe Jets and Bills continue to look for answers at the QB spot as well. New York's QB job is up for grabs as incumbent Chad Pennington missed most of last year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery. Pennington has a history of injuries and may never be the same after his latest setback. The Jets also acquired veteran Patrick Ramsey in a trade with the Washington Redskins in March. Ramsey has been a disappointment in Washington where he lost his job to Mark Brunell last season.New York's best hope may be rookie Kellen Clemens. Clemens was having a stellar senior season at Oregon before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He has good size, speed and quickness, and could be the quarterback of the future that the Jets have been looking for.Buffalo, on the other hand, has done nothing to upgrade its weakness at quarterback. The Bills had a terrible draft and will go into the season with Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman vying for the starting job again. Neither are a very attractive option and the Bills look to be going nowhere again.The StandardIn order for Miami, New York or Buffalo to make the playoffs, they will have to go through New England. The Patriots look to be even better than last season, having drafted running back Laurence Maroney and wide receiver Chad Jackson to add to Brady's arsenal of weapons.The Patriots are still the kings of the AFC East and are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl again. Should the Patriots regain the championship, it would be their fourth Super Bowl in six years and will cement their place as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the league.

Flutie Was Simply Ahead of His Time

2006-05-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

By Michael RothmanWagerWeb.com Contributing WriterDoug Flutie was a gambler’s dream. Think about it. His team was always the underdog and yet he always came through in the clutch and covered the spread. From his Hail Mary pass in college to beat Miami to his scramble for a touchdown to beat Jacksonville in the pros, Flutie was a born winner. Sportsbooks hated this man, because whether they liked it or not, his teams were always getting points, yet they knew he would win the game;—somehow.Even with this, when you think of Doug Flutie, you think of a short quarterback. You think of a little guy who was great for some trickery in close games, but not a player you would build a franchise around. You think of a player who was good enough to dominate Canada, but not the NFL. Why?Atlanta QB Michael Vick was drafted number one overall in 2001 because of the amazing upside he possesses. Vick is a phenomenal athlete with speed, power, and the uncanny ability to throw the football up to 70 yards. Vick dazzled while playing his college ball at Virginia Tech and is a natural leader. These are simply intangibles you cannot teach, but can build a team and a franchise around.So I beg to ask one question: what is the difference between Vick and Flutie? Less than two inches in height. Vick stands at 6’0”, with Flutie lagging just behind at 5’10”. Flutie has the cannon that Vick has and is also a great athlete who consistently makes plays with his legs. Flutie also dazzled in college while playing for Boston College, and he even won a Heisman Trophy in 1984. Even Vick can’t claim that award. When talking about leadership skills, no one will ever forget Flutie’s 48-yard Hail Mary pass that upset the Miami Hurricanes on November 23, 1984. One can even argue that Flutie has the edge on Vick when it comes to football smarts, and more importantly, accuracy. Vick has a career completion percentage of only 54.1 percent.So if the two are so evenly matched, why was Flutie drafted 285th overall in 1985 while Vick was the first pick 16 years later? The answer is simple: Flutie was a man ahead of his time. In 1985, the mobile quarterback had no place in the NFL. Now this type of quarterback is the present and future of the game, and Flutie was one of the first prototypes. Flutie, the anti-Ryan Leaf, has no character flaws at all and if he were to come out of the draft now, he would be a first-day pick. The current coaches of this era would be drooling at the numerous ways they could utilize this athlete.Now, after 21 professional seasons in football, Flutie called it quits on Monday. Flutie leaves behind a legacy of heart and determination, six player of the year awards in Canadian football, and of course, his Hail Mary pass that will live forever in college football lore. But, most of all, I believe he leaves behind the sad legacy of a player who was born in the wrong era and who was consistently underestimated.Flutie made his resurgence in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills in 1998, voted the AP Comeback Player of the Year. In ‘98, Flutie threw for over 2700 yards and 20 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions. The very next year Flutie upped his numbers to over 3000 yards passing and was voted to the Pro Bowl. But alas, another stereotype would stand in the way of a fruitful career: his age. By the end of 1999, Flutie was 37 years old and the Bills did not want to build a team around an old-timer. It was just too late. Two years later, Flutie would sign with the Chargers, only to give the job up to another young quarterback: Drew Brees.Flutie’s potential was there for all to see. You don’t just make the Pro Bowl if you’re not a great talent. Again, timing ruined what could have been a Hall of Fame career. Flutie just needed the breakthroughs of players like Kordell Stewart, Atwaan Randle El, and of course, Vick, to set the stage. Kordell started the trend way back in 1995 when he came in as ‘slash.’ Pittsburgh coach Bill Cower tried to use the multi-talented QB in every way possible and ended up with great success. This opened the door for Vick to be the top pick in 2001 and Randle El to sign with the Redskins for $27 million. Imagine all the money Flutie could have made in this era, for himself and gamblers alike.Well, you can’t change history and you certainly can’t pick the era in which you are born. This is the sad reality of Doug Flutie’s career and the careers of many others who did not make it at the professional level. But what you can do is realize something. When you think of Michael Vick as the one player who changed the way we view what a quarterback can do, think again. There is one innovator who came before Vick, before Kordell, before Randle El, and even before Vince Young. This innovator was Doug Flutie.

The NFL Draft’s Impact on the Upcoming Fantasy Football Season

2006-05-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

By Mike Brody
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
We’ve had a week to digest the NFL draft. While most observers were looking at which teams drafted the best and which teams dropped out, fantasy footballers were wondering which rookies they might like to have on their team.
Some of these rookies will come in and make an immediate impact in the league. Others will have a more subtle impact and work their way into the lineup. How much playing time these rookies receive will determine not only their value, but also the value of many other proven veterans who could be high fantasy draft picks. Some of these veterans may lose a lot of value due to rookies stealing precious playing time from them. This is especially troubling in keeper leagues.
Rookie Starters
This was one of the more impressive drafts in recent years. Several skilled players should step right into major roles with their NFL teams. Some of these guys will be well worth having on your fantasy team. If you’re in a keeper league, these guys could be very high picks.
Reggie Bush – The Texans might have passed on him, but you shouldn’t. Bush will have plenty of chances to score fantasy points for his owners as he is expected to split carries with Deuce McAllister, whose value drops significantly. Bush will be a big target out of the backfield for new Saints QB Drew Brees and at times he’ll line up as a wide receiver. Bush may also be able to get on the scoreboard returning punts and kickoffs.
Vernon Davis – The huge tight end will instantly become Alex Smith’s favorite target in San Francisco. While the 49ers’ offense is nothing to write home about, they should improve and they will play against some weaker defenses. Some say Davis may be the next Antonio Gates. That probably won’t happen right away, but he could be a top 5 tight end and have numbers similar to Baltimore’s Todd Heap.
Joseph Addai – The Colts moved quickly to replace Edgerrin James by drafting the LSU running back in the first round. Addai will step right into the league’s most potent offense and could be the feature back. Like James, he’s an excellent pass catcher and should have no problem beating out Dominic Rhodes for the majority of the playing time.
Waiting in the Wings
These guys may not start right away, but they will be valuable players for their new teams’ offenses.
Laurence Maroney & Chad Jackson – The Patriots’ top two picks may not be immediate starters, but it won’t be long until they force their way into the lineup. Rated by many as the top wide receiver in the draft, New England was able to grab Florida’s Chad Jackson in the second round. Jackson fills an immediate hole for the Pats after they lost David Givens in free agency. Even if he doesn’t start, New England loves to run 3-, 4- and 5-receiver sets, and you can bet Tom Brady will find the rookie. The Patriots’ No. 1 pick was RB Laurence Maroney. Maroney rushed for more than 1,000 yards three straight seasons at Minnesota. He won’t displace incumbent Corey Dillon as the starter right away, but Maroney will get his share of carries and could develop into a very productive NFL running back in no time. He is an excellent mid-round pick – higher in keeper leagues.
DeAngelo Williams – The undersized running back is the NCAA career leader in all-purpose yards. He will have to battle DeShaun Foster and Carolina’s 2005 top pick Eric Shelton for playing time. Williams will be part of the backfield rotation from the start. Foster and Shelton have both had trouble staying healthy, so Williams could be in line for even more playing time.
Santonio Holmes – The Steelers, like the Patriots, had an immediate need for a wide receiver and filled it with the impressive Ohio State speedster. He should fit in well with the Super Bowl champs and has a great tutor in Hines Ward. Look for Pittsburgh to ease him into the lineup and for Holmes to make his way into the starting lineup by mid-season.
LenDale White – The other USC running back fell to the middle of the second round after a hamstring injury and character questions have come up in recent weeks. On the field, White has been a powerful runner with a nose for the end zone. Tennessee already has two proven backs in Chris Brown and Travis Henry, but both have been susceptible to injuries. Look for White to start the season as the goal-line back and get a chance at the feature back role later in the season.
Best of the Rest
A few other players to keep an eye on this season include: Leonard Pope – The 6-foot-8 tight end will be a huge target for Curt Warner and should get plenty of Red Zone opportunities in the Cardinals’ new high-powered offense; Sinorice Moss – The Miami (Fla.) receiver should be an excellent complement to Plaxico Burress for the Giants. Moss will have to fight for catches in an offense that features Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Burress; Anthony Fasano – Bill Parcells hopes Fasano will turn into another Mark Bavaro for the Cowboys. Dallas already has Jason Witten, a solid tight end, but Parcells loves to play two tight ends, and Drew Bledsoe loves to work the middle of the field.
The Quarterbacks
The there’s the three high-profile quarterbacks: Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Jay Cutler. I think they will all have productive careers, but just not this season. Young has a chance for playing time with Tennessee now that Steve McNair has left for Baltimore. Billy Volek is ready to step up, however, so Young should be carrying the clipboard this season. Leinart fell to the 10th pick, but he couldn’t have asked for a better situation. The Cardinals are loaded on offense with the best young wide receiver duo in the league – Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald – and a stud running back in the newly acquired James. Kurt Warner leads the Arizona attack and still has a good year or two left, but Warner has a history of injuries so Leinart’s time could come sooner rather than later. The Broncos drafted Cutler one pick after Leinart was selected. Cutler will back up Jake Plummer in Denver next year as he is groomed for the starting spot once Plummer wears out his welcome.
Keep track of the position battles over the summer and don’t be afraid to take a chance on a rookie that could be a difference maker.

Broncos looking to add a receiver

2006-04-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

As their flirtation with Terrell Owens attests, the Denver Broncos would love to add a premier wide receiver to pair with mainstay Rod Smith.When Owens chose to resurrect his career in Dallas instead of Denver, the Broncos shifted their sights to this weekend’s NFL draft, where their wheeling and dealing has landed them the 15th pick, about where the run on receivers is expected to begin.Among the top wideouts coming out of college are Ohio State’s Santonio Holmes and Florida’s Chad Jackson, either of whom could make coach Mike Shanahan very happy.He wouldn’t have minded having Owens on board, either.“We were one of the few teams to have him in, so we obviously felt very good about him,” Shanahan said.The Broncos, who stockpiled draft picks through a series of trades, also are expected to focus on running back and tight end on the first day, when they own four of the top 68 selections, the most of any team.

He'll Huff and Puff and Shut Down Your Running Game

2006-04-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

By Mike BrodyWagerWeb.com Contributing WriterBaseball might be known as the national past-time, but there is little debate about what sport Americans are most passionate about, and that is NFL football. In many sports markets around the nation, the NFL is a topic that never leaves the radio airwaves regardless of the time of year. It is late April, the 2006 MLB season is off and running, and just in case you haven't noticed, the NHL and NBA playoffs have actually already begun. But turn on your favorite sports talk radio station and the NFL draft is dominating all other topics in the world of sports.The hot debate this year is what the Houston Texans will do with the number one overall pick. Will they take can't-miss RB from USC Reggie Bush? Or is hometown boy QB Vince Young the way they will go? We know Matt Leinart is no longer a lock to go number two to the Saints, now that they have signed free agent QB Drew Brees. So is OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson a soon-to-be Saint? What will the Titans, at pick three, do if Steve McNair actually sticks to his guns and refuses to return to Tennessee? There are many interesting, drama-filled storylines that make this year’s draft one of the most intriguing in recent memory, and therefore, the million-dollar question comes to mind: which projected first round draft pick will have the most impact in the NFL?I think this is a very interesting question and one that can be debated until draft guru Mel Kiper gets a new hair-do. Everyone knows of the Bushes, Leinarts, and Youngs of the world. I have no doubt that all three of these players will eventually have good—if not great—NFL careers. What about the aforementioned D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the 6'6" 312-pound OT from the University of Virginia? He stacks up very well physically against some of the best OTs in the NFL. Walter Jones, Jon Runyan, and Tra Thomas just to name a few. There is also little doubt that Ferguson will be a very good player in the NFL. But one player who has somewhat flown under the draft experts’ radar will, in my opinion, not only have the most immediate impact in the NFL, but when all is said and done could be at the head of this year’s draft class. His name is Michael Huff, DB from the University of Texas. Yes, that is right, I said Michael Huff. Please allow me to explain.There is little doubt that the NFL is a copy cat league. From week to week and season to season, teams study what works and they copy it. It is also a league of trends. Here are a few trends that will help make my point about how a DB, in Michael Huff, will be the biggest impact player to go in round one of this year's draft.For one, take a look at the way things have changed with the running back position. These days there is so much specialization in this position that a true number one running back is no longer a must in the NFL in order to win games. There are first and second down backs, third down backs, short yardage backs, red zone backs, fast backs, and bruising backs as well as blocking backs. The Giants had Lightning and Thunder, Atlanta has Dunn and Duckett, the World Champion Steelers had "Fast" Willie Parker and The Bus, and the Broncos who for years have had the best running scheme in the league, recently have had a gaggle of backs that gets 10-15 touches a game. So the importance of the league having a true number one back has declined over the years in the NFL. Just ask Edgerrin James. That is one trend that supports my case. Reggie Bush may end up sharing carries and never have the opportunity to be the man. If he goes number one to the Texans, he will no doubt share carries with incumbent running back Domanick Davis. This trend hurts his case for being the player who will have the most impact.Next, take a look at the QB position. More often than not these days the QB is simply asked to manage the game, make as few mistakes as possible, and are told, “whatever you do, don't lose the game for the team”. They are not asked to win games as they once were, instead they are asked not to turn the ball over in critical parts of the game. You can win games in the NFL with a QB who simply does not make mistakes. They are no longer asked to carry the team on their backs and win every game. Check out Ben Roethlisberger's stats in Super Bowl XL. He was 9 of 21 for 123 yards, 2 interceptions, and zero passing touchdowns. Those are not great numbers and not stats that one would expect to see from the winning quarterback in the Super Bowl. But what he did was manage the game and he did not make critical mistakes during crucial moments of the game. So, trend two in the league is to have a quarterback who simply does not lose games for the team. Therefore, quarterbacks oftentimes have the ball taken from their hands and placed in the belly of one of the team's top two backs. Leinart and Young will be handing the ball off far more than they will be throwing it. That takes them out of the running for highest impact player in this year's draft.That brings me to the third trend that I see in the NFL. This is the trend that I think more teams should adopt, the trend that I am counting on to prove my point about Huff being the man in this draft. The trend is returning to the days of having a hard-hitting safety who runs around the field making plays, and wreaking havoc for the opposition's receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks. I'm talking about a safety who can defend the pass as well as fill the box and hammer the back with the ball. A safety who makes the quarterback and receiver think twice about going over the middle, therefore taking away that part of the field. Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater come to mind as old school, hard-hittingsafeties who were impact players.These days, take a look at the impact that Troy Polamalu and Sean Taylor have made for their respective teams. Without the forceful play of Polamalu, the Steelers are a very different team. Polamalu had 73 tackles, 18 assists, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions as a safety for the Steelers last year. Plus, he was second among all defensive players in the playoffs with 24 tackles. Taylor had 60 tackles, 10 assists, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defended for the Redskins a year ago. Once again, great numbers for a safety. Other impact safeties are Ed Reed, John Lynch, and Roy Williams.

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Let's break down the vitals on Michael Huff. He is listed at 6', 204lbs. At Texas he played SS as well as CB. A 6' safety who can hit and has the speed to run and cover is very hard to find. At the combine Huff ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. Another fact that I find helps Huff is that he is coming out of Texas as a fifth-year senior. He is mature and ready for the NFL. He is a premier candidate as a free safety in the NFL, but has the speed to play corner. Plus, I'm sure the team that drafts him will immediately put 10-15 pounds of muscle on his already stout 204lbs. frame. What a specimen he would be at 6', 220lbs. In his senior year at Texas he had 109 tackles, up 36 from the 73 he had as a junior. That goes back to the maturity level he has reached after having five seasons to learn how to play the game.I think looking around the league at the success that teams have had with these play-making safeties makes Michael Huff a great pick for the San Francisco 49ers at pick number six. The 49ers finished last in total defense a season ago and gave up over 390 yards of total offense per game. Huff would help in both areas and would help immediately. Huff should be the first DB taken in this year's draft and will probably battle it out with Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams for that honor. I believe the days of having a hard-hitting safety to anchor your defense have returned to the NFL and I like it. Michael Huff is the next big thing to hit the NFL and when I say hit, I mean it. Huff is the man in this year's draft and will be a fixture for years to come as an elite DB in the NFL.The 2006 NFL Amateur Draft kicks off on Saturday, April 29 live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City and can be seen on ESPN. At noon the Houston Texans will officially be on the clock. Let the drafting begin. I for one cannot wait.

2006 NFL Draft Preview

2006-04-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

2006 NFL Draft Preview

By Matt Severance
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

The NFL Draft is upon us this weekend, a near Woodstock-like event unto itself, although this generally happens in your living room.

A quick primer on Draft weekend:

1) Don't believe anything your team says heading into the draft. Sometimes where there's smoke, it's just smoke.

2) Everyone is thrilled to get who they get, since they had that player ranked higher on their board than where they picked him.

3) Jets fans will boo at some point.

So send the wife/girlfriend away for the weekend, pull up a couch and some carbs, and here's how the first round could go on Saturday. Here is what the teams could (or are widely expected) to do and what those teams should do, in one man's opinion. (What did people do before the Internet?!)

1. Houston. Could: Reggie Bush, RB, Southern Cal. Should: Bush. Do Texans, who already have Domanick Davis, really need a running back? No, they have other pressing needs, especially on the offensive line, but some are calling Bush the next Barry Sanders or Gale Sayers.

2. New Orleans. Could: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State. Should: Trade down and take A. J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State. Saints have a solid defensive line as is. Hawk has been compared to a better version of another former Buckeye linebacker, Chris Spielman.

3. Tennessee. Could: Matt Leinart, QB, Southern Cal. Should: Leinart. Question is, will Titans get a chance at him? Jets could leapfrog Tennessee into Saints' spot and steal the former Heisman Trophy winner away. If that happens, Titans should grab Texas QB Vince Young, sit him a year or two behind Billy Volek, and then reap the rewards.

4. N.Y. Jets. Could: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia. Should: Trade up with Saints and get Matt Leinart. Think Leinart might be a star in the Big Apple? He already owns Hollywood and is arguably the fourth-most famous quarterback in America right now, behind Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Brett Favre. Oh, he's good too. Yeah, Jets have QBs Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey, but one is brittle and one is unproven.

5. Green Bay. Could: A. J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State. Should: Trade down and acquire more picks. Packers have plenty of holes, it seems none of their wide receivers want to play for them, and Brett Favre can't even decide what day it is. If they stay at No.5, look for Pack to take best defensive player available, Hawk or Mario Williams.

6. San Francisco. Could: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland. Would help speed the maturation of second-year QB Alex Smith (think Niners wish they had waited until this year to draft their franchise QB? Smith would've ranked below Matt Leinart, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler). Should: Davis a good pick, but if A. J. Hawk or Mario Williams are on the board, San Francisco should jump as its defense needs help everywhere.

7. Oakland. Could: Vince Young, QB, Oakland. Should: Young. Raiders are another team that could use multiple picks by trading down (with Dolphins? Vikings?), but how can Oakland turn down Young here? Oakland seemingly drafted its QB of the future last year in Arizona State's Andrew Walter, but Al Davis loves to make a splash.

8. Buffalo. Could: Broderick Bunkley, DT, FSU. This seems to be the consensus pick for Bills, but this pick is also in play for teams wanting Vince Young or Vandy QB Jay Cutler if they are still there. Should: Bunkley. He's one of draft's high-risers.

9. Detroit. Could: Knowing Matt Millen, another wide receiver with the first pick. We assume Millen's not that stupid, so figure the best defensive back available, either Texas' Michael Huff or Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams. Should: Lions need to focus on their defensive secondary, so either Huff or Williams works.

10. Arizona. Could: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt. Kurt Warner just got a three-year deal, but does anyone think he'll last that long? Should: Cards are pretty loaded on offense and Cutler wouldn't help this year, so they need to look to defense and take whichever DB Lions don't: Michael Huff or Jimmy Williams.

11. St. Louis. Could: Ernie Sims, LB, FSU. Should: Sims or USC OT Winston Justice. Rams could grab Cutler if he's available, but defense definitely is the pressing need, with offensive line right behind.

12. Cleveland. Could: Kamerion Wimbley, DE/LB, FSU. He would play outside linebacker in NFL. Should: Ernie Sims if he's available. Browns could use him to anchor the defensive front. Oregon NT Haloti Ngata also a possibility.

13. Baltimore. Could: Haloti Ngata, NT, Oregon. Nose tackle is a need position with the loss of Maake Kemoeatu. Should: Team hoping Ngata or Ernie Sims falls here, but if not Ohio State safety Donte Whitner would pair nicely with Ed Reed.

14. Philadelphia. Could: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida. Should: Jackson. Strong showing made him top-rated receiver, and Iggles need to replace a certain No. 81.

15. Denver (from Atlanta). Could: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State. Should: Holmes. Broncos need receiver help with Rod Smith aging and Ashley Lelie usually underperforming. They may prefer Chad Jackson and trade ahead of Philly.

16. Miami. Could: Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State. Should: Rumors are that Nick Saban lusts after Vince Young and that Fins could trade up as high as No. 7 to get him if he falls. Otherwise, hometown WR Sinorice Moss of the Hurricanes would be a big help to Chris Chambers.

17. Minnesota. Could: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa. Should: Trade up and get one of the three franchise quarterbacks, as Vikes have been rumored to be exploring.

18. Dallas. Could: Jason Allen, S/CB, Tennessee. Should: Allen. Cowboys want someone to anchor defensive backfield with Roy Williams.

19. San Diego. Could: Winston Justice, OT, Southern Cal. Should: Team absolutely needs a wide receiver to help Philip Rivers. So either trade up for WRs Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes or grab Sinorice Moss.

20. Kansas City. Could: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina. Should: The Chiefs have a perpetual need on defense, so just about anyone on that side of the ball helps.

21. New England. Could: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson. Should: Antonio Cromartie, CB, FSU. Patriots have shown they are never afraid to take a chance, and Cromartie fits the bill: huge upside but missed last season with an injury.

22. Denver (from Washington). Could: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis. Should: Williams is second-best back and getting him here is value. Plus, Mike Shanahan loves to collect running backs.

23. Tampa Bay. Could: Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn. Should: Eric Winston, OT, Miami, Fla. Bucs re-signed two of their own offensive linemen and thus could look defense here, but Winston two years ago was projected as a Top 5 pick. Bucs may be able to move down and get him. Team also may look to move up for USC's Winston Justice.

24. Cincinnati. Could: Antonio Cromartie. Should: Cromartie. If Pats and/or Bucs don't jump on him, Bengals get a cornerback with Top 10 talent.

25. N.Y. Giants. Could: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State. Should: Giants, if they sign LaVar Arrington, then may look to cornerback, perhaps Miami's Kelly Jennings.

26. Chicago. Could: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia. Should: Pope. Bears seemingly have been looking for a tight end since Ditka.

27. Carolina. Could: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota. Most mock drafts have Panthers grabbing a future replacement for DeShaun Foster. Should: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA. Would open up the field even more for Steve Smith.

28. Jacksonville. Could: Demeco Ryans, LB, Alabama. Should: Jags going for the best available player here. If TEs Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope fall here, watch for Jags to pounce.

29. N.Y. Jets (from Denver). Could: LenDale White, RB, Southern Cal. Should: Jets need a running back in worst way, and White worth the risk even with his injury.

30. Indianapolis. Could: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU. Should: Addai. Best RB on the board likely to go here as Edgerrin James’ replacement.

31. Seattle. Could: Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State. Should: Youboty is the best CB left and Seahawks get to address their need area, although they could reach for a guard here to replace Steve Hutchinson.

32. Pittsburgh. Tambi Hall, DE, Penn State. Should: Maurice Stovall, WR, Notre Dame. Is Stovall a reach? Perhaps. But Steelers need to replace Antwaan Randle El, and Stovall showed flashes of big-time talent.

Broncos sign Lynch to contract extension

2006-04-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch signed a two-year contract extension with the Denver Broncos through the 2008 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lynch, who joined the Broncos in 2004 from Tampa Bay, is entering his 14th season in the NFL and third with Denver. He is 34.

In 195 regular season games, Lynch has 1,118 tackles (677 solo), 26 interceptions and 12 sacks. He has 92 pass breakups, 14 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Lynch made five Pro Bowls (1997, 1999-02) with Tampa Bay and two more with Denver (2004-05). Last year, he started all 16 regular season games for the Broncos.

Broncos' Thanksgiving contest available only on cable, satellite

2006-04-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

Denver Broncos fans awoke Tuesday morning to good news. The National Football League had announced plans to add a third game on Thanksgiving Day - and this year's game will feature the Broncos at the Chiefs.

For Broncos-crazed fans in Pueblo, it was like adding an extra dollop of whipped cream on the pumpkin pie.

However, there is some bad news. Only households with satellite or cable TV will be able to receive the game. That old pair of rabbit ears just won't cut it.

The Denver-Kansas City game will be broadcast on the fledgling NFL Network. It's a digital channel available through DirecTV and Dish TV, but only on packages from $44.95 and up. On Comcast, the NFL Network is available on the Digital Classic package, priced at $58.94, or may be added to the $44.99 Enhanced Cable package, through the $4.95 sports package.

NFL: BRONCOS RE-SIGN LB PATRICK CHUKWURAH

2006-04-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Denver Broncos on Monday re-signed unrestricted free-agent linebacker Patrick Chukwurah to a one-year contract, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chukwurah (6-foot-1, 250 pounds) is entering his sixth NFL season and fourth year with the Broncos, who signed him as a free agent on Dec. 24, 2003. Selected by Minnesota in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, Chukwurah played his first two professional seasons with the Vikings and spent the 2003 training camp with Houston.

Chukwurah has played 55 career regular-season games (5 starts) and recorded 29 tackles (16 solo), 3.5 sacks (37 yds.), two pass breakups and three forced fumbles. The 27-year-old also owns 34 career special-teams tackles in regular-season play and has appeared in three playoff contests.

In 2005, Chukwurah saw action in 14 regular-season games (0 starts) for the Broncos and posted two tackles (1 solo) on defense while ranking sixth on the club with seven special-teams tackles. Chukwurah was a regular on a Denver special-teams unit that helped the team tie for the NFL lead in fewest opponent drives started past the 50-yard line (10).