Davis, Sharpe named Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists

After an exhiliarating win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day, the Denver Broncos have some more good news.

Two former star players who made quite an impression on this team have been named semifinalists for the Hall of Fame. Both deserve this honor and hopefully the people who choose who gets in will make a wise decision and put in at least one Bronco.

Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe are the two lucky dudes, while Floyd Little was named an automatic finalist back in August. Now just picture it... not 1... not 2 but 3 Broncos going into the Hall of Fame all in one year. Takes your breath away doesn't it? That would be a dream come true.

The committee will name the 15 finalists on January 7, 2010 and from there the final list of nominees will be put in consideration for Hall of Fame honors along with two previously announced senior nominees: our own Floyd Little and former Detroit Lions CB Dick LeBeau.

Little, who led the team in rushing for seven consecutive seasons from 1967-73, finished his Broncos career ranked No. 1 on the franchise's all-time list for rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. One of the team's four original Ring of Fame members, Little played in the Pro Bowl in 1970, 1971 and 1973, and participated in the AFL All-Star Game in 1968 and '69.

Davis, the 1998 NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXXII MVP, owns franchise records for rushing yards (7,607) and touchdowns (60). The three-time Pro Bowler is one of five players ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. A Broncos Ring of Famer, Davis notched at least 100 yards rushing in seven of eight playoff games with the team.

Sharpe, who was named to the Pro Bowl seven times as a Bronco and helped the club to two Super Bowl victories, was elected as the 22nd member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame in late May. He finished his career by becoming the NFL's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. In 172 career regular-season games with Denver, Sharpe registered the second-most receptions (675), receiving yards (8,439) and receiving touchdowns (55) by a player in club annals, trailing only wide receiver Rod Smith.

Final voting will be conducted at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee's annual meeting, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 in South Florida the day before Super Bowl XLIV. The election results will be announced immediately afterwards. While there is no set number for any class of enshrines, the selection process by-laws provide that between four and seven new members will be selected.

Broncos Vs Giants

This week is a short week for the Broncos as the Giants come into town to face off in a mile high battle. It is a thanksgiving battle that really could determine the rest of the season for this two teams. The Giants got their first win after four straight loses and are hoping to get a roll that will lead into the post season. The Broncos on the other hand have lost four straight and are looking for that momentum that will carry them hopeful into the postseason. This game will be close and hard fought.

NFL.com

Giants, Broncos square off on Thanksgiving night

In Brief

» Last meeting: The Giants tallied a narrow victory over the Broncos in 2005.
» Streaks: These teams have split their last four meetings, but the Giants have a 6-4 overall series edge, including the playoffs.
» Last week: New York needed overtime to defeat Atlanta, 34-31. ... Denver was overwhelmed by rival San Diego in a 32-3 loss.

Keep your eye on ...

Josh McDaniels' adjustments: When the Broncos were 6-0, McDaniels was hailed as a boy wonder and was the toast of the league. Now, with Denver 6-4, he is starting to feel the heat. McDaniels must find a way to get his team out of its rut or the season could quickly slip away.

The Broncos sideline: Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall got into a heated exchange with rookie running back Knowshon Moreno on the sideline after Moreno fumbled into the end zone against San Diego. The Broncos appear to be splintering now that adversity has hit, but if they hope to turn things around, they would be well served to stick together.

Eli Manning's game management: With the Giants still banged up on defense and Brandon Jacobs ailing due to a knee injury, Manning will have to be very thoughtful in how he approaches this outing. He does not want to put too much pressure on the defense, and may have to make more plays through the air with both Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw playing through some aches and pains.

Did you know?

The Broncos have not hosted a Thanksgiving Day game since 1963. ... The Giants first played on Thanksgiving in 1926, beating the Brooklyn Lions, 17-0. ... The Giants have not played on the NFL Network since losing in Week 17 of the 2007 season against the Patriots, when New England completed a perfect 16-0 regular season.

ESPN.com
With Denver playing at home against the Giants and the Raiders playing at Dallas on Thursday, here are some injury updates for both teams:

Denver quarterback Kyle Orton appears set to start Thursday despite an ankle injury that kept him out of a total of three quarters Sunday. Denver had a jog through practice and Orton practiced fully.

Denver safety Brian Dawkins was limited Tuesday because of a neck injury that caused him to leave Sunday’s game in the first half. Right tackle Ryan Harris was limited. He has missed the past three-plus games with a toe injury.

Denverbroncos.com

QUICKLY:

• The Broncos, who are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, will host their first Thanksgiving game since 1963 and are set to play on the holiday for the 11th time in club history. Denver will play on Thanksgiving for the third time in the last five years.
• Denver is set to play on a Thursday for the fifth consecutive year and joins only Dallas and Detroit with that distinction. The Broncos’ five scheduled Thursday games in the last five years tie for the third most in the NFL.

OFFENSE:

• QB Kyle Orton’s 27-15 (.643) career record as a starter is the seventh best among active passers. His 18-3 (.857) career record at home as a starter is the best in the league since the 1970 NFL merger.
• Second-year WR Eddie Royal’s 122 career receptions tie for the most by a Bronco in his first two pro seasons. He is only the ninth Bronco in club history to post at least 1,000 combined yards in each of his first two pro seasons with Denver—He leads the team with 1,003 combined yards this year.
• RB Knowshon Moreno leads all NFL rookies in rushing yards (600) and yards from scrimmage (677). During the last two weeks, he is eighth in the NFL in rushing yards (177) and second in yards per rush (6.3).

DEFENSE:

• Led by long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, the Broncos are the only team to rank among the league’s top seven clubs defensively in yards per game (7th, 297.8), points per game (7th, 18.3) and sacks (T-4th, 29). Denver also is fourth in the league in yards per play allowed (4.8).
• OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil ranks first in the NFL with 12 sacks and is looking to become the first Bronco in club history to lead the league in sacks. His 12 career multiple-sack games, including five this year, tie for the seventh most in NFL history through a player’s first four seasons.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

• Since signing veteran P Mitch Berger on Oct. 26, the Broncos’ net punting average has shown the fourth-most improvement (+3.3 yds. / 34.5 to 37.8) in the NFL.
• Veteran OLB/DE Mario Haggan and rookie S Darcel McBath are tied for the team lead with nine special-teams tackles. They are two of eight Broncos with at least five special-teams stops this season.

NOTES FROM DENVER’S LAST FIVE GAMES VS. N.Y. GIANTS

at N.Y. GIANTS 24, DENVER 23 (Oct. 23, 2005)
Denver’s NFL record-tying four-game streak (20 quarters, 264 minutes) without a giveaway is snapped by the Giants on a desperation kickoff return to end the game... The Broncos have a player rush for more than 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game (Mike Anderson 24-120 yds., 1 TD).

at DENVER 31, N.Y. GIANTS 20 (Sept. 10, 2001)
The Broncos win the first regular-season game ever played at INVESCO Field at Mile High on Monday Night Football… Denver QB Brian Griese records 330 passing yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a career-best 144.3 passer rating.

at N.Y. GIANTS 20, DENVER 16 (Dec. 13, 1998)
Denver’s NFL record-tying streak of 18 consecutive victories ends with a loss to the Giants… Broncos RB Terrell Davis posts his 30th 100-yard rushing game (28-147 yds., 1 TD) to become the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to reach that mark.

at DENVER 27, N.Y. GIANTS 13 (Nov. 15, 1992)
Broncos rookie QB Tommy Maddox leads the Broncos on three second-half scoring drives after replacing an injured QB John Elway... Denver limits the Giants to 39 net passing yards.

N.Y. GIANTS 14, at DENVER 7 (Dec. 10, 1989)
The Giants take a 14-0 lead into halftime after scoring on a 57-yard screen pass midway through second quarter… Broncos QB John Elway accounts for 223 of his 292 passing yards in the second half.

Big Games
Well I execpt big games out of all the Broncos plays, I really think we have some nice matchups against the Giants and should really stick it to them. I need big games out of all the Broncos defenders as they will keep the Broncos in this game and give the Offense a chance to start firing.

My Take
This game will be close and hard fought, as you can see from the five previous encounters. It is hard to pick a winner out of these teams as it will be so close, but I hope it is the Broncos.

Jokes
Plaxico Burress has said he'd like to catch on with an NFL team after serving his two-year prison sentence. And if that's not possible, Burress is also open to playing for the Lions. While in prison, Burress plans to stay in football shape, which will be easy with all the football players in prison with him.

New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely with a strained neck. The former Pro Bowler injured himself looking up at the standings.

Video

Broncos Vs Chargers

What up gang, this week we have a divisional battle against the hated Chargers. The Chargers are on hot form and the Broncos, well are not. This game here I believe is the season, it will be hard to make the playoffs with a lose here. But having said that the Broncos seem to turn up big in big games. Take for example the last Chargers game and the Patriots game. The Broncos need to put in a complete team effort no matter who the quarterback is to will this game. Now this take a look around the web.

NFL.com

Chargers, Broncos tussle for first place in AFC West

In Brief

» Last meeting: The Broncos improved to 6-0 with a 34-23 win in Week 6.
» Streaks: San Diego has won five of the past seven, but trails the overall series, 54-44-1.
» Last week: The Chargers overcame 450 passing yards from Donovan McNabb to knock off the Eagles, 31-23. ... The Broncos lost QB Orton at halftime and fell apart in a 27-17 loss to the Redskins.

Keep your eye on ...

Mike Nolan's defensive adjustments: Nolan, Denver's defensive coordinator, was praised profusely during the team's 6-0 start, because the defense was among the league's best. A three-game skid has exposed the unit some, however, and now Nolan has his work cut out for him to restore the defense's confidence and get it to find its early season form.

LT's inspiration: Finding out his wife was pregnant prior to kickoff seemed to spark something in LaDainian Tomlinson last Sunday. Playing against a tough Eagles defense, Tomlinson had a season-high 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He was shut down by the Broncos when these teams met earlier this year, but his wife may have just given him the motivation he was missing in that earlier matchup.

Eddie Royal's return ability: The biggest factor in Denver's win earlier this year over San Diego was Royal's production in the kicking game. He brought back a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns and those two scores proved to be the difference. The Chargers cannot afford to let Royal have a similar performance in the rematch.

Did you know?

San Diego has won four straight on the road against the AFC West. ... Chargers LB Brandon Siler had his first career sack last week. ... Denver's Champ Bailey ranks first among cornerbacks with 44 interceptions since 1999.

ESPN.com

• Denver quarterback Kyle Orton didn’t practice at all Thursday for the second straight day with an ankle injury. If he doesn’t practice Friday, he likely won’t play Sunday in a pivotal AFC West game against San Diego.

• Denver running back Correll Buckhalter (knee) did not practice Thursday after he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Denver receiver Brandon Marshall practiced Thursday. He was held out Wednesday with a neck injury.

• San Diego offensive linemen Jeromey Clary (ankle) and Nick Hardwick (ankle) were held out of practice Thursday for the second straight day. Tight end Antonio Gates (foot) and linebacker Shawne Merriman (foot) both practiced Thursday after being held out Wednesday.

DenverBroncos.com

QUICKLY:

• The Broncos, who are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, defeated San Diego 34-23 on Monday Night Football on Oct. 19. Facing a Chargers team that has won its last four games, Denver aims for its first season sweep of its series with San Diego since 2005.
• Sunday's game vs. San Diego marks the first time Denver has played a team 100 times in the regular season. The only team the Broncos have faced 100 times including playoffs is Oakland (98 reg. / 2 post.).

OFFENSE:

• WR Brandon Marshall has posted at least 100 receiving yards in each of his previous two games. He scored on TD catches of 75 and 40 yards in the first quarter last week at Washington, becoming only the 11th player in the NFL since 1940 to post two TD grabs of 40 yards in the opening quarter.
• RB Knowshon Moreno leads all NFL rookies with 591 yards from scrimmage and 520 rushing yards, which represent the eighth-highest total by an NFL rookie through his team's first nine games since 2005.
• QB Kyle Orton registered a 134.7 passer rating (11-18, 193 yds., 2-0) in the first half at Washington last week before missing the second half due to an injury. QB Chris Simms replaced him and saw his most extensive action since his last pro start (9/24/06 vs. Carolina) with Tampa Bay.

DEFENSE:

• Coached by long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, the Broncos are tied for second in the league in sacks (29) while ranking fourth in points per game allowed (16.8) and fifth in yards per play allowed (4.8).
• OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil has an AFC-best 11 games with two sacks since entering the NFL in 2006. That total ties for the ninth most in league history through a player's first four NFL seasons.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

• WR Eddie Royal handles return duties for the Broncos in addition to his work at wide receiver. He is the only player in the NFL to post at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 1,300 return yards since his rookie year in 2008.
• ILB/FB Spencer Larsen's five solo special-teams tackles in November (3 games) tie for the third-highest total in the NFL.

Big Games
Well we need big games out of the own team, if we want to win we need to give 110%. I know Dawkins is pumped I just hope the rest of the team is. Also still looking for a big game out of Peyton Hillis, want to see him get some action.

My Take
Man another hard won, I really want Broncos to win but this game will be hard fought. I still think this game is the most important of the season, win this and a say a deep playoff run.

Jokes
An elementary teacher starts a new job at a school in Denver and trying to make a good impression on her first day, explains to her class that she's a Bronco fan. She asks the class to raise their hands if they too are Bronco fans. Everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise and says: "Mary, why didn't you raise your hand?"

"Because I'm not a Bronco fan," she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked : "Well, if you're not a Bronco fan, then who do you support?"

"I'm a Charger fan, and proud of it," Mary replied.

The teacher could not believe her ears. "Well Mary, will you explain why you are a Charger fan?"

"Because my mom and dad are from San Diego, and my mom is a Charger fan and my dad is a Charger fan, so I'm a Charger fan too!" "Well," said the teacher, in an obviously annoyed tone, "that's no reason for you to be a Charger fan. You don't have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mom was a prostitute and your dad was a drug addict and a car thief, what would you be then?"

Mary replied, "I'd be a Raiders fan."

Broncos Vs Redskins

So in the absence of Aussie and since this is on such short notice this won't be as detailed of a match-up but I'll do my best.

6-2 Broncos take on the 2-6 Redskins this Sunday with both teams definitely looking for a win. The Broncos are entering this game in the nation's captial with a 2-game losing streak and seek to put that to an end soon. Much work is needed for them to get back up on their feet so they need to come out fighting tomorrow and show NO mercy whatsoever.

The Redskins are in far worse conditions being at the bottom of the NFC East, 4 straight losses and coming into this game losing quite a few players to injury including former Bronco, Clinton Portis. While this seems so easy to take advantage of for the Broncos, the Skins I'm sure are wanting this win considering their standings so this game cannot be taken lightly by either side.

Injury update:

Broncos announced Saturday that Josh Barrett (hamstring) and Ryan McBean (knee) have been ruled out for tomorrows match. Tackle Ryan Harris (toe) is also ruled out for the second week after missing Monday night's loss to the Steelers and Brandon Marshall is listed as probable for the Skins game citing a back problem.

Redskins have bigger issues to deal with on injuries so we have a little bit of an advantage but that doesn't mean they won't come out fighting.
RB Clinton Portis ruled out with a concussion, TE Chris Cooley & T Mike Williams ruled out with ankle injuries, RB Ladel Bette is questionable with an ankle injury, Punter Hunter Smith is questionable with a right groin injury, CB Byron Westbrook & T Stephon Heyer are both questionable as well with knee injuries. QB Jason Campbell is listed as probable with an ankle injury.

Will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Broncos are in desperate need of getting their running game back and their O line needs to become a brick wall again. Orton needs to be protected and in the last two games (both of which were painful losses to watch) the O line has failed him. As for McDaniels, as our Head Coach, he needs to establish a more versatile style of playcalling. Mix it up a bit so when teams go to watch film on us they won't be able to predict what we'll do everytime. Being unpredictable in this league is what makes teams dangerous, we need to make that happen.

Depending on how we decide to play the game this can go several ways. We can become the team I know and attack the Skins, surprise them and the ending could be leaving them in the dust. That would be the most preferrable action for Denver to take if you ask me. Or, both teams could decide to play it so that the lead switches back and forth like a tennis match and the ending would be close, which is not something I want to see because we can do better than that. Or, the Skins could run over us like we let Baltimore and Pittsburgh do and our boys go home unhappy.

That last scenario should not even be an option. They are smarter than this, they are better, more talented than this. I expect to see NFL level football. End of story. They had better show up to play football tomorrow or they'll get a piece of my mind. We all know how well that would go for them, ha. Don't make me come over there and chew you boys out!

This is the time for the Broncos to get their groove back and they are certainly capable of dominating this game. Just one question they all need to answer...

How bad do you want to win?

I'm ready for these two teams to clash tomorrow. Go get 'em boys! Show no mercy and take them all as prisoners! muwahahaha

Broncos Vs Steelers

What up gang, this week the Broncos take on the defending Superbowl champs the Steelers. This will be a really hard fought game as the Steelers are tough right across the board. Just look at their fans. The Broncos come off their first loss and it was a disappointing one. But I think they can bounce back and really give it to the Steelers. I would love to see them run away with this one. There is also the new addition of Ty Law but I doubt he will play this week. Ok so time to look around the web to see what is being said:

NFL.com

In Brief

» Last meeting: Jason Elam hit a 49-yard field goal as time expired to lead the Broncos past the Steelers, 31-28, in Week 7 of 2007.
» Streaks: The Broncos have won four of the past five and have a commanding 16-9-1 overall series edge, including the playoffs.
» Last week: Both teams were on a bye.

Keep your eye on ...

How the Broncos respond to their first loss: For the first time as a head coach, Josh McDaniels has to get his team ready to play following a defeat. The Ravens exposed the Broncos offensively with their intermediate passing game and defensively by getting pressure on Kyle Orton. The Steelers play a very similar style to the Ravens, so McDaniels has to make some adjustments.

Eddie Royal's return skills: If there is one glaring weakness for the Steelers it is their special teams. They have given up three touchdowns on special teams in the past four weeks. Royal has the ability to exploit Pittsburgh with his uncanny knack for coming up with big returns.

Ben Roethlisberger's strength: Pittsburgh's signal-caller is one of the league's toughest quarterbacks to bring down and his exceptional ability to keep plays alive often dooms defenses. Denver will have to maintain discipline in the secondary and its pass rushers must be under control when attacking Roethlisberger.

Did you know?

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is 4-0 on Monday Night Football. ... Roethlisberger has a touchdown in seven consecutive games. ... Orton has lost just two home games in his career. ... Denver's Elvis Dumervil leads the AFC with 10 sacks.

Denverbroncos.com

The Denver Broncos (6-1) will make their second Monday Night Football appearance in their last three games this week when they host the defending Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2). Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 6:30 p.m. MST.

QUICKLY:

• The Broncos, who look to rebound from a 30-7 loss at Baltimore last week, will appear on Monday Night Football for the 61st time in club history. That total is the fifth highest in the history of the program.
• Head Coach Josh McDaniels guided Denver to a 6-0 record to begin the year, a start that tied for the third best by a rookie NFL head coach since 1930.

OFFENSE:

• QB Kyle Orton’s 18-2 (.900) career record at home as a starter is the best by an NFL player since the 1970 merger. He leads the AFC in TD-to-INT ratio (9-to-1), fourth quarter passer rating (124.2) and INT percentage (0.4).
• The Broncos’ 16 drives of at least 10 plays (20.8% of their possessions) tie for third in the NFL.

DEFENSE:

• Coached by long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, Denver leads the NFL in yards per game allowed (266.7) and yards per play allowed (4.4) while ranking second in the league in scoring defense (13.7 ppg.).
• Last week at Baltimore, the Broncos posted an NFL Week 8-best 10 tackles for a loss (31 yds.) with seven run stuffs, two sacks and one on a reception.
• OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil’s 10 sacks lead the AFC (2nd in NFL). Minnesota DE Jared Allen is the only player in the NFL with more two-sack games than Dumervil (11) since he entered the league in 2006.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

• The Broncos have won both AFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards this year with K Matt Prater (September) and WR/KR Eddie Royal (October) earning those accolades.
• Royal became only the 11th player in NFL history to score a touchdown on a kickoff (93 yds.) and a punt return (71 yds.) in the same game at San Diego on Oct. 19.
• S Darcel McBath, a rookie second round pick from Texas Tech University, leads the Broncos with seven special-teams tackles.

ESPN.com
Denver defensive lineman Ryan McBean may not play Monday night against Pittsburgh with a knee injury. LeKevin Smith is set to start in his place.

Big Games
So I am looking for big games from the Offense. But most importantly Tyler Polumbus, Knowshon Moreno and Kyle Orton. Tyler needs to get some push and stop the rushers. Knowshon needs to get some rushing yards and Kyle Orton needs to have a bounce back game.

My Take
This game will be close, maybe a touchdown separating the two, I think the score will be something like 24-17. But this is going to be a tough game to win and the Broncos are to win it, it will be done late in the game.

Jokes
Q. How many steeler fans does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A. Two. One to do the job, and the other to tell everybody else how much better they are at it than everybody else.

Q. What do the Steelers and bumble bees have in common?
A. They are both black and yellow and get smeared all over your windshield.

Video
Had to post this as it has our boy Elway in it.

Ty Law to Denver?

Ty Law is coming to Denver? Good or bad, I am not sure. But he is a good player and I think he is meant to help out as the third corner back as Jack Williams and Phonz haven't been getting it done. So what do you think have your say, to say the least I am surprised. For more checkout these links:

Denverpost

Nfl.com

ESPN.com

My regular post about this weeks game will be up soon.

~Aussie Out