Woody Paige: Manning family business designed for Drew Brees too

Woody Paige: Manning family business
designed for Drew Brees too
Woody Paige
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
The Manning family is to quarterbacking what Flying Wallenda is to trapezes,
Kennedy to politics, Heinz to 57 Sauce, Rothschild to banking, Ford to cars, Marx to
comedy, Osmond to candy-apple music.
Patriarch Archie Manning played quarterback in the NFL for 11 years. Son Peyton
Manning has returned for his 15th season, and younger brother Eli is a nine-year
veteran. Combined, they have thrown for 110,235 yards and 735 touchdowns.
And Drew Brees is virtually The Other Brother.
"Let me tell you how that all went down," Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning says
when I ask about the family's relationship with Brees.
"I was speaking at a banquet in Austin, Texas, and I presented a high school senior
with the NFF scholar-athlete award." Archie is chairman of the board of the
prestigious National Football Foundation.
"The young man was Drew Brees," who led Westlake High School to a 28-0-1
record over two seasons and the Texas Class 5A championship.
Brees went on to play at Purdue, "and used to show up and hang around the Colts'
locker rooms after games, and we talked a lot more," Archie said.
In Brees' senior season, he threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to upset Ohio State.
His first phone call afterward was from the Colts' young quarterback — Peyton.
Drew won the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's most outstanding player, in
2000. Peyton had won it in 1997. Eli would win it in 2003.
Peyton and Drew finally would play against each other in an NFL classic the final
week of the 2004 regular season. Brees, drafted in 2001 by San Diego, carried the
Chargers to a 31-16 lead in the fourth quarter. But Manning brought the Colts back
to a tie with his league-record 49th touchdown pass of the season — to Brandon
Stokley. The Colts won on an overtime field goal.
Brees got even the next season in Indianapolis with a 26-17 victory. In the last
game, against the Broncos, Brees' shoulder was shredded and it seemed he would
never play again. Although off- season surgery was successful, the Chargers turned
to Philip Rivers, and Brees signed with the Saints — Archie's former team in the
town where he and his wife, Olivia, still lived.
"Drew called, and we reconnected," says Archie, who would recommend
restaurants, barber shops and neighborhoods. "I was just trying to help him.
Actually, Olivia did more for Drew's wife, Brittany, and I think they're still in the
same exercise class." Brees bought an antebellum home off famed St. Charles
Avenue near the Mannings' house in the Garden District, and "Cooper (Manning's
eldest son) and his wife would go out to the movies with Drew and his wife."
Cooper actually was the second Manning to play quarterback — in high school in
New Orleans. But when Peyton joined the team as QB, Cooper switched to receiver,
was an all-state selection and earned a scholarship to Ole Miss, where Archie was
the famed quarterback from 1969-71.
Before Cooper played at Mississippi, though, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis,
a narrowing of the spinal cord. He had to give up football.
After Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, the Manning brothers and Brees
contributed money and time to relief efforts — and still do.
When Brees began to play for the Saints, Archie would send messages of support to
Drew. But when Drew played against Eli for the first time, Archie's text stated:
"You're on your own this week, pal."
For decades Archie was the city's favorite son. "Drew owns New Orleans. He doesn't
need my advice anymore."
Drew Brees and Peyton Manning would play each other in Super Bowl XLIV in South
Florida, and there was speculation about whether Archie would cheer for his city
and his pal, or his son.
"It was hard, but there wasn't a choice," Archie says from the Florida panhandle,
where he and Olivia are spending a few days. "You always pull for your children."
Brees and the Saints prevailed when Peyton was intercepted late by Tracy Porter.
"After a while, I got over the disappointment for Peyton, and I felt great for what
Drew and the Saints accomplished."
When the Saints and the Broncos play Sunday night, Archie picks kinship over
friendship again. He has traveled to Denver for a couple of games, "but I've got to
watch Eli and the Giants play the Cowboys on TV first, then Peyton and the Broncos
against the Saints. That will be six hours of severe stress for me. When Eli and
Peyton play at the same time, I have to watch split screen, but, at least, it's only
three hours of stress."
He has been thrilled about Peyton's comeback this season and the Broncos'
comeback vs. the Chargers.
"When Peyton was going through everything, I didn't say much," Archie said. "I just
listened, like a father does. He wondered if he could play at the highest level again.
... He's proven it to everybody he can.
"I don't think people realize that the team was basically starting over this year.
Foxy (John Fox) was there last year, but Peyton came in this year; they got a new
coordinator in Jack Del Rio, and they changed offenses, and they started with a
difficult schedule. But they certainly hit their stride in that second half (against the
Chargers). They'll get a tough one against Drew."
There were no supporting texts to Brees last week, only to Peyton. "I've got
another one of these coming up." The Saints play the Giants on Dec. 9.
Archie read my column a week ago suggesting that Peyton and Eli could be playing
against each other in the Super Bowl in, of all places, New Orleans.
"I thought: "Wouldn't that be something?' " he said. "I was talking to Fran
Tarkenton a couple of days ago, and he's also predicting the Broncos and the
Giants" in The Big Game in The Big Easy.
That would be the severest stress.
Archie, Cooper and Drew could carpool to the game.
Kickin' it with Kiz: Peyton Manning gets
Thanksgiving dinner invite
Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
Just win, Peyton. Kiz, aren't you being unduly harsh on Mr. Peyton Manning for
his social skills? Good grief! He was hired to win football games for the Broncos, not
teach Sunday school, walk your dog and be a scoutmaster. Leave him alone and let
him win games. He can call bingo sessions at the old folks' home during the
offseason.
Don, an "old folk" myself
Kiz:When it comes to opening doors for ladies, signing autographs or using his
salad fork, Mr. Manning needs no advice from the sloths here at Kickin' It
Headquarters. But anybody who has spent 10 minutes around Manning notices he's
more comfortable with old acquaintances than his new surroundings. And that's
kind of cool, really. Who knew a Hall of Fame quarterback could be a little shy? To
that end, I'd like to invite Manning to Thanksgiving dinner. Heck, we'll even let him
be the all-time QB at the annual touch football game, a classic affair in which a torn
hammy on a bootleg caused me to fall like a freshly cut Christmas tree and be
loaded prone in the back of a station wagon to go home and eat my candied yams
while standing, because it hurt too much to sit. Good times!
Expletives deleted. You are a miserable piece of shoelace, Kiszla. Leave
suspended Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams the heck alone and get on with your
worthless life. We all make mistakes. This junk you spew makes me sick to my
stomach. I seriously question: Why exactly is it you have a job? Give some young
nerd a shot. How long have you been a journalist? Go write about the Rockies,
clown.
Demitri, Dyme Lyfer
Kiz: This morning, boys and girls, we learned why Al Gore invented the Internet: to
improve human understanding and promote peace throughout the World Wide Web.
(By the way, the language of Demitri's e-mail was altered ever so slightly, just in
case his pastor wanted to read it aloud in church.)
Culture clubbed. CU football does lack homegrown talent. The Buffaloes have not
pursued the state of Colorado like they should. In turn, a talent like Kenny Bell,
who I played against, and Heisman Trophy candidate Collin Klein escaped out of
state. At the time of their recruitment, the Buffs were in the same conference as
Nebraska and Kansas State, which makes it even tougher to stomach. The lack of
talent going to Colorado football programs is not necessarily just because of
coaches, but rather the culture players are brought up in. Parents no longer preach
loyalty. Whether that is the fault of the college or the student, a disconnect exists.
Richard, Boulder
Kiz: In the Sagarin computer rankings that have long been a staple at USA Today,
the Buffs would be ranked 10th this week in the Colonial Athletic Association, a
Division I-AA football conference that includes Delaware, Old Dominion and Towson
as members. And you're telling me local preps couldn't help CU?
Piggyback on the farm. After continually watching former Colorado players excel
in other major-league baseball cities, might I suggest the team slogan for next
season: America's Farm Team.
Tony, Broomfield
Kiz: It's a good thing the Rockies PR department has such a fine sense of humor.
Otherwise, the fellows in charge of drawing a smiley face on a downtrodden
franchise might treat you as an outcast and talk bad behind your back. (Not that it
could ever actually happen in an organization based on do-unto-others principles,
of course.)
Brassy offer. And today's parting shot is from one American with the heart and
courage to do something more than gripe about the unemployment rate in this
country:
Congratulations to the Rockies for adding to their deep roster of savvy baseball
executives with the hiring of Mark Wiley as director of pitching operations. As
throwing additional front-office bodies seems to be the solution to all organizational
woes, I'd like to put my name in the hat for the following positions: special
assistant to the vice president of base running, assistant VP of hitting the cutoff
man, executive fungo coordinator, assistant general manager in charge of spitting
and scratching (major leagues) and nachos guru. Would you mind putting in a good
word for me?
Pookie, Arvada
Klis: NFL remains most unpredictable of
the major sports
Mike Klis
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
About all we know of the 2012 NFL season is this: We don't know a thing.
There have been 62 games decided by one score (eight points) or less, the most
through Week 7 of any NFL season.
"You never know, because there are no cupcakes in the NFL," Broncos coach John
Fox has said in so many words roughly a dozen times in the past two years and
again last week.
The two prohibitive preseason favorites, the New England Patriots and Green Bay
Packers, both started 3-3.
"It's fascinating. Bruce Arians was sitting there saying, 'We're in this thing,' " said
former general manager Charley Casserly.
Arians is the interim coach of the Indianapolis Colts, who entered this season with
the longest Super Bowl odds. The Colts are 3-3.
"He's right," Casserly said.
We're supposed to believe in the 6-0 Atlanta Falcons even though they are 0-3 in
the postseason the past four years. We're supposed to believe in the Houston
Texans even though the next playoff game quarterback Matt Schaub plays will be
his first.
No one in the Rocky Mountains wants to believe the Chicago Bears will reach the
Super Bowl with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. Few people anywhere else
believe the Baltimore Ravens can get there without Ray Lewis.
Blame all this uncertainty and mediocrity on the New York Giants. They won the
Super Bowl last season and now everybody wants to finish 9-7.
"We still have half the season to go, but so far there's not much separation,"
Casserly said. "I think it's just one of those years where the system is working. The
system of the salary cap and free agency was supposed to create this."
Payday coming. Contract negotiations between the Broncos and Ryan Clady didn't
work out in July. Clady, though, is positioning himself well for the next bargaining
round. According to Stats Inc., Clady is one of four offensive tackles who have both
started every game and not allowed a sack. The others are Houston's Duane Brown
and the New York Giants' tandem of Will Beatty and Shawn Locklear.
Clady also has just one holding penalty this year.
Standing tall. So why has the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees become arguably
the greatest 6-foot-and-under quarterback in NFL history?
"He has such a high release," said Broncos linebacker Keith Brooking, who played
eight games against Brees from 2006-10. "He releases the ball from where a 6-5
guy might throw it. I don't know how tall he is, but he's tall enough."
Joe Montana was 6-2. Otto Graham and Bart Starr were 6-1. Brees' competition for
all-time best 6-foot-and-under quarterbacks is Sid Luckman and Michael Vick.
Luckman won back-to-back NFL championships in 1940 and 1941. Brees only has
one title (2009), but we'll give him the edge because he attempts 45.5 passes per
game while Luckman averaged 145.3 pass attempts per season.
Different era. Former linebacker Bill Romanowski said last week that when he
started his career with the San Francisco 49ers, special-teams players would
receive gifts such as Walkmans and TVs for big hits.
Keep in mind the rookie Romanowski played for the legendary Bill Walsh, who was
in his final year of coaching, and then for George Seifert, who was in his first year
as head coach. The 49ers won the Super Bowl in each of Romanowski's first two
seasons.
He wound up winning two more with the Broncos.
"There wasn't a quarterback I played against that I didn't want to knock out of the
game," Romanowski said. "In every single game that I played, never did I not have
that goal.
"I wasn't trying to break his neck. I'm not trying to tear out his knee. There's this
whole thing about hitting 'em hard enough where you knock them silly. For so
many years, getting the (crap) knocked out of you was just part of the game. Give
'em some smelling salts. I saw stars every single game I've ever played in. I just
wanted the opposing team to see bigger stars."
Let's just say it would not have been easy for Romo to have played in today's Roger
Goodell-governed game.
All in the family. Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt, on Adam Gase, who is
married to Vitt's daughter, Jennifer, and is the Broncos quarterbacks coach for
Peyton Manning:
"I couldn't be prouder of Adam," Vitt said of his son-in-law. "No. 1, Adam's a great
husband. No. 2, he's a great father. And No. 3, he's been a great friend to me. And
all that being said now, Adam can't throw and I can't tackle. This is a player's
game. I look forward to seeing him Sunday night."
The best compliment there was No. 1. I never heard my father-in-law say I was a
great husband.
Spotlight on ...
Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay
When: Played Thursday night at Minnesota. Will play next Sunday at Oakland.
What's up: After abusing the New Orleans Saints' secondary last weekend and
picking up two big first-down catches in Thursday's win at Minnesota, Jackson ranks
sixth in the NFL in receiving yards (592) even though he's tied for 34th in
receptions (29). His 21.6-yards-per-catch average leads the league among
receivers with at least 15 catches. Not that this is anything new. Jackson has
averaged 17.9 yards per catch in his eight-year career, the first seven with San
Diego. He ranked sixth in yards per catch in 2011, fifth in 2009 and fourth in 2008.
Background: Jackson was an A student when he graduated from Widefield High
School near Colorado Springs in 2001. He had 52 catches for 697 yards and 13
touchdowns as a senior. He played basketball and football at Northern Colorado. He
led the Bears' basketball team with averages of 13.6 points and 3.1 assists as a
sophomore. He was a terrific punt returner as a freshman. In his final two years at
UNC, he averaged 73 catches, 1,422 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was selected by
the Chargers late in the second round of the 2005 draft. He became a free agent in
March and signed a five-year, $55.55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Klis' take: It's mind-boggling how much offensive talent Chargers general manager
A.J. Smith has let get away to free agency. Drew Brees, Michael Turner, Darren
Sproles and Jackson lead the list. Jackson is proof that receivers have a longer
learning curve than NFL players at other positions. He had only three catches as a
rookie in 2005 and 27 in his second year. He still doesn't have a 70-catch season,
but is a heavy-damage receiver.
THREE UP
1. Bears: Allowing an NFL-low 13 points per game.
2. Packers: Randall Cobb is more than a kick returner: 15 catches, 191 yards, two
touchdowns past two games.
3. Saints:Darren Sproles swarmed past three games — a scary thought for the
Broncos, who have struggled to catch him.
THREE DOWN
1. Panthers: DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart averaging a combined 65
yards rushing per game.
2. Bengals: Andy Dalton has thrown six interceptions during three-game losing
skid.
3. Chiefs: Maybe Brady Quinn and home game against the Raiders can jump-start
this disappointing team.
Slash threats
There are great passers, receivers, rushers and returners. But the NFL has a select
group of players who are multiple threats. The league's top "slash" players through
Week 7:
1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins Not only is the rookie third in passing rating
(101.8), he's 13th in rushing with 468 yards.
2. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings Besides 535 yards and a TD on kickoff returns, he
leads the NFL with 60 catches and is second with 667 receiving yards.
3. Darren Sproles, RB, Saints Running the ball is the least of what he does. Has
854 combined yards through receiving (267, three touchdowns), rushing (118) and
returning (469).
4. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers He is still a top returner (574 yards, one
touchdown) but now is a quality receiver (37 catches, 435 yards, three TDs). That's
1,009 combined yards.
5. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens Ninth in rushing with 524 yards and the top receiver
among every-down backs with 242 yards on 27 catches.
6. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Not nearly as productive in Year 2 as in his rookie
season but still averaging 231 passing yards and 45.5 rushing yards per game.
Saints vs. Broncos: Brees and Manning a
classic mile-high showdown
Mike Klis
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
Let's go back a little more than five years and revisit the Great Quarterback Debate.
It was February 2007, and Peyton Manning was in Miami getting ready to play in his
first Super Bowl. The next week, Drew Brees was in Honolulu preparing to play in
his second Pro Bowl. It was in the midst of a time when the NFL's best quarterback
topic was but a two-man competition.
"There's no doubt, Peyton and Tom Brady are at the top," Brees told The Denver
Post then. "I feel like there's no reason I can't be among those guys, but at this
point, if you look at what they've accomplished, not only statistically but in number
of wins, that's what you strive for."
Now, let's advance the Great Quarterback Debate to Sunday night at Sports
Authority Field at Mile High. Brees is here getting ready to lead the New Orleans
Saints against Manning and the Broncos.
In the five years since Brees himself anointed Manning and Brady as the best, the
Saints quarterback has done everything he can to make it a three-man race. And a
case can be made that Brees is at the top of the list. Brady missed all but one
quarter of 2008 with a knee injury. Manning missed all of 2011 with a neck injury.
Brees, meanwhile, has stayed healthy to become the most prolific passer in the
NFL, throwing for a staggering 30,491 yards over the past 6½ years, an average of
4,783 yards per season.
Last year, he broke Dan Marino's league season yardage record, which had stood
for 27 seasons. A few weeks ago, Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record for most
consecutive games with a touchdown pass, which held for 52 years.
"If you want to talk about who's the best in the league, you could argue that he's
the best," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said of Brees. "Nobody's really done
what he's done."
After throwing for a record 5,476 yards in 2011, Brees is on pace for nearly 5,600
yards passing this season. And only the Broncos can stop Brees from a touchdown
pass that would give him 300 in his career, tying him with John Elway for sixth
place all time, while also extending his consecutive touchdown record to 50 games.
"A season record is one thing," Manning said. "But any records that span over three
or four years tell you what a consistent player he's been since he's gotten there.
Obviously, that offense is based around him and they've just kind of flourished and
gotten better and better every year."
Along with all his gaudy stats — maybe even topping them — is how Brees
outdueled Manning in Super Bowl XLIV after the 2009 season. Manning played well
in that game for Indianapolis, but Brees seemingly had the ball in his hands the
entire middle two quarters. Perhaps sensing the urgency to keep up, Manning
forced a slant throw in the fourth quarter that Saints (now Broncos) cornerback
Tracy Porter picked off and returned for a game-clinching touchdown.
For the first time since Brees was named the MVP of that Super Bowl, he and
Manning meet again. Would Brees admit that for this game he deserves to be
considered in the Brady-Manning pantheon of NFL greats?
"I still think those guys are the standard," Brees said. "And I say that because
they've done it so consistently for so long. Certainly, they're not only going to go
down as the best of our generation but two of the best of all time."
And then Brees brought in a fourth quarterback to the discussion.
"Look at what Aaron Rodgers has done in the last three years," Brees said. "That's
been pretty impressive."
Indeed, Rodgers led Green Bay to the Super Bowl title after the 2010 season, then
a 15-1 record while posting the all-time best passer rating last season, and is on a
roll this year, having thrown nine touchdown passes against zero interceptions in
his past two games.
Then there are youngsters such as Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton, dual-threat
quarterbacks who bring an extraordinary amount of athleticism to the position.
"There's lots of guys that if you look at it, study a little bit, you say, 'Man, how are
they doing that so well?' " Brees said. "I want some of that, whatever they're doing.
I've got to figure that out."
Over the past month, as Brees was assaulting some of the NFL's most familiar
records, as Rodgers was taking the quarterback position to another stratosphere, as
RGIII's image was exploding into living rooms across the NFL landscape, Manning
and Brady haven't exactly been shabby. Manning is on a four-game stretch in which
he has thrown 11 touchdown passes against just one pick while averaging 328.5
yards passing per game. Overall, Brady, Manning and his younger brother, Eli
Manning, are tied for second in the league with an average of 301 yards passing
yards per game. Brees ranks first by nearly half a football field, with 350 yards per
game.
"When it's all said and done — and hopefully I can play this game for as long as I
can ..." Brees said. "But at the end of the day, I would love to be considered in that
category."
Saints at Broncos: Five things to watch.
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
1. Keep Drew Brees from breezing through D
Despite all of the team turmoil and on-field struggles around him, Brees continues
to be at the top of his game. He has thrown for at least 325 yards in five of the
Saints' six games this season and thrown at least three touchdown passes in five
games. In his last three games, including wins over San Diego and Tampa Bay,
Brees has thrown 11 touchdown passes and only two interceptions while averaging
8.3, 8.2 and 10.2 yards per attempt. The Broncos have to get enough pressure to
create some discomfort, or Brees will add the Denver secondary to his list.
2. Don't lose track of Sproles or Graham
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, a 6-foot-7 matchup nightmare, didn't play last
weekend against the Buccaneers because of an ankle injury. But Graham and
tailback Darren Sproles have combined for 57 catches this season, including six for
touchdowns. Offenses have found room to work against the Broncos' linebackers
and safeties in coverage, and you can bet the Saints will test them with Graham
and Sproles. When the Saints switch to a three-wide receiver formation, the
Broncos will have to cover Sproles, Graham or both with linebackers who haven't
always fared that well in the job.
3. Denver needs to dictate the tempo
Every team in the NFL seems to want to push the pace on offense, and the Saints
are no exception. Brees gets the ball out in a hurry, helping the Saints keep the
chains moving. And while the Saints' problems on defense will make it attractive to
throw the ball early and often, the Broncos will have to slow the pace at times with
their own offense. Opponents are averaging 4.9 yards per carry against the Saints'
defense, which is giving up 160.3 yards rushing per game. The best way to limit
Brees' production is keeping him on the New Orleans sideline.
4. Take better care of the football
Peyton Manning says division games count double in the standings. Well, turnovers
count for more than that. The Broncos, who are minus-three in turnover margin
this season, have created a significant portion of their problems. The Falcons scored
13 points off turnovers in a six-point win over the Broncos and the Patriots scored
seven points off turnovers in a 10-point win over the Broncos. It took an
improbable comeback in San Diego for the Broncos to beat the Chargers, who
scored 17 points off turnovers. That is being way too generous.
5. Time to get off the roller coaster
The Broncos haven't won consecutive games since a six-game winning streak that
ended last December. With a favorable schedule, and a road win over the Chargers
already in their pocket, the Broncos are poised to make a run at the AFC West title.
But they need to start playing sound football.
Saints at Broncos: Game plan
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Broncos
October 28, 2012
When the Broncos run
The Saints have allowed staggering yardage this season, the most after six games
by any NFL team since at least 1940. The Broncos' patience on offense should be
rewarded if they can keep their running game as an option. To dictate the tempo,
Denver will have to push Saints defensive tackles Brodrick Bunkley (a former
Bronco) and Sedrick Ellis off the ball. Offenses have averaged only 2.9 yards a
carry over the center against the Saints but have averaged 5.5 yards per carry on
the perimeter, including a 7.7 yards per carry around the offensive left end. Edge:
Broncos
When the Saints run
New Orleans ranks last in the 32-team league in carries (averaging 20.3 per game)
and last in yards rushing (76.2). The Saints traded back into the first round of the
2011 draft to select Mark Ingram, but the former Alabama star hasn't been a big hit
in the NFL. He is averaging only 2.9 yards per carry. Edge: Broncos
When the Broncos pass
Most teams have been content to pile up first downs against the Saints with short
and intermediate plays, but quarterbacks have found success challenging right
cornerback Patrick Robinson down the field. Denver's Peyton Manning is one of the
league's all-time best at finding a defense's weak spot and pounding away at it. If
they avoid turnovers, the Broncos will move the ball and score. Edge: Broncos
When the Saints pass
Super Bowl-winning New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees continues to pile up
extraordinary statistics — including the NFL record for most consecutive games with
a touchdown pass, a record that once belonged to the legendary Johnny Unitas at
47. Brees is at 49, a streak that began Oct. 18, 2009, with a four-touchdown game
against the Giants. Edge: Saints
Special teams
New Orleans' Darren Sproles has the potential to wreck the Broncos. Sproles is
averaging only 7.9 yards per punt return, but he does have a 48-yard kickoff
return. The Broncos rank third in the league in covering both punts and kickoffs.
And they have perhaps the league's best power tandem in kicker Matt Prater and
punter Britton Colquitt. Edge: Broncos
Sunday's NFL games: NFC has dominated
games against AFC thus far
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
The balance of power is rarely in balance in the NFL. And when it comes to the AFC
and the NFC, the pendulum swings back and forth, with one of the league's
conferences dominating the other.
NFC teams have won the past three Super Bowls, but from the 2000 through the
2006 seasons, AFC teams won the Super Bowl six times. Between the 1984 season
and the Broncos' victory in Super Bowl XXXII, the NFC won 13 consecutive Super
Bowls.
This season, when teams from the two conferences have faced each other, it has
been a one-sided affair. The NFC teams that are 3-3 or better are 17-5 in games
against the AFC.
Atlanta (6-0) has built the NFL's only undefeated record by pillaging the AFC West,
beating Kansas City, Denver, San Diego and Oakland.
The AFC teams that are 3-3 or better, including the Broncos, are only 5-9 against
NFC teams. Houston, the AFC's power team, lost its only game against an NFC
team so far (Green Bay).
Must-see game of the week
Falcons at Eagles 11 a.m. The skinny: Both teams are coming off a bye. This
will be just the third game the Falcons have played this season against an NFC
team. The Falcons' six wins have come against teams that do not currently have
winning records. The Eagles have defeated Atlanta in six of their last eight
meetings. But the Falcons beat them last season in the Georgia Dome with help
from Matt Ryan's four touchdown passes.
The difference will be: If Ryan can continue to stake his claim as one of the
league's elite quarterbacks. In his past five road games, Ryan has completed 67
percent of his passes for 1,612 yards, 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Ryan has three games this season with at least three touchdown passes; the
Falcons are 27-0 when he has three TD passes in a game. This will be the Eagles'
first game since coach Andy Reid fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and
promoted secondary coach Todd Bowles to replace Castillo. The call: Falcons 2824.
Catch 'em if you can
Seahawks at Lions 11 a.m. Both offenses will have to solve powerful, active
defensive fronts in this game. The Seahawks have been more limited on offense
this season (averaging 293.6 yards per game) than the Lions, but rookie
quarterback Russell Wilson has led Seattle to four wins. Lions QB Matt Stafford has
12 touchdown passes in his past six home games, and has three consecutive 300yard passing games at Ford Field. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has averaged
103.3 yards per game since the start of the 2011 season, tops in the NFL over that
span. The call: Lions 23-17.
Redskins at Steelers 11 a.m., KDVR-31 Redskins rookie QB Robert Griffin III
leads the NFL in completion percentage (.704), but the Pittsburgh defense presents
a time-honored puzzle. Dick LeBeau's style of defense is unique. The Steelers,
despite their injuries, lead the AFC in defense, allowing only 277.3 yards per game.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 14-1 in home starts against NFC teams. The
call: Steelers 28-23.
Patriots vs. Rams 11 a.m., KCNC-4 The Rams spent the whole week in London
and the Patriots didn't arrive until Thursday. The Patriots lead the league in scoring
(averaging 31 points per game) and total offense (436.1 yards). New England
quarterback Tom Brady is 34-8 in starts against NFC teams. The Rams' pass rush
must get to Brady. They are tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks. The call: Patriots 3020.
Giants at Cowboys 2:25 p.m., KDVR-31 In what has to grate Cowboys owner
Jerry Jones as much as anything, the Giants have defeated Dallas in six of their last
nine meetings, including last December's game at Cowboys Stadium. Giants QB Eli
Manning, who leads the NFL in passing with 2,109 yards, has won five of his last
seven starts against Dallas. Manning is 26-5 in October starts. The call: Giants 3119.
Quick hitters
Panthers at Bears 11 a.m. With a formula that looks much like the 49ers in
2011, the Bears lead the NFL in turnover margin at plus-13 and quarterback Jay
Cutler has won his last seven starts at home. The call: Bears 24-17.
Chargers at Browns 11 a.m. This is a dangerous game for a team taking as
much criticism in its home city as the Chargers are. Despite their numbers, the
Browns have moments in pass defense when they can make life difficult for an
offense as dependent on throwing the ball as San Diego's is. The call: Browns 2423.
Jaguars at Packers 11 a.m. This game has rout written all over it. The Jaguars
have the NFL's worst offense, averaging 14.7 points per game. And there may be
no hotter QB at the moment than Aaron Rodgers, who leads the league with 19
touchdown passes and a 109.6 rating. The call: Packers 35-10.
Dolphins at Jets 11 .a.m The Dolphins have won three times in their last four
road games against the Jets. And rookie QB Ryan Tannehill has thrown for a total of
654 yards in his last two road starts. The call: Jets 28-19.
Colts at Titans 11 a.m. The Colts have won six of their last nine games in
Nashville, Tenn. This will be the first look at rookie QB Andrew Luck for the Titans'
defense. The Titans need Chris Johnson — he had his fourth career game with at
least 190 yards rushing last weekend — to continue to produce if they are going to
dig out from their 1-4 start. The call: Titans 21-20.
Raiders at Chiefs 2:05 p.m. The Raiders have won their last five games at
Arrowhead Stadium, including a 16-13 overtime thriller last season. Former
Broncos backup QB Brady Quinn will start for the Chiefs against former Broncos
defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The call: Raiders 24-16.
Broncos Q&A: Rookie running back
Ronnie Hillman
Tom Kensler
The Denver Post
October 28, 2012
Although Oregon speedster De'Anthony Thomas was the one to receive cover-story
publicity for having participated on a Los Angeles youth football all-star team
sponsored by rapper Snoop Dogg, Broncos rookie running back Ronnie Hillman was
there too.
Hillman, a native of Long Beach, Calif., is two years older than Thomas. They
played one game together on Snoop Dogg's all-star team.
"Snoop Dogg was around," Hillman recalled of the youth league. "That wasn't the
first time I'd seen him. But it was kind of cool being on his all-star team. You'd see
him over there, but after a while, you get used to it. It's kind of like being around
Peyton (Manning)."
A third-round draft pick out of San Diego State, Hillman (5-foot-10, 190 pounds)
has rushed for 50 yards on 17 carries as a backup to Broncos starter Willis
McGahee. Hillman also has four receptions for 37 yards.
Q: Your nickname while starring for La Habra (Calif.) High School was "the Reggie
Bush of Orange County." Was the former Southern California and current Dolphins
running back one of your idols?
A: That nickname was something that a newspaper gave me. I didn't try to pattern
my game after his at all. Some (reporters) thought I resembled him. It was a nice
compliment, but I didn't go around and try to be like Reggie Bush.
Q: Considering that nobody can be credited with a 100-yard run from scrimmage,
your 99-yard touchdown run for San Diego State against Wyoming, almost a year
ago to the day, put you in select company. What do you recall about that carry?
A: It was crazy. I just remember trying to make a play for our team because we
were down. I went up the middle and then juked a couple of Wyoming players. But
I also got some blocks that helped, so I have to give the whole offense credit. It's
funny, I wasn't even winded after 99 yards. It was all the adrenaline, I guess.
Q: While your high school transcript was being approved by the NCAA (he was
eventually cleared for 2010), you sat out the 2009 season as a "grayshirt" and
spent that autumn in Georgia, where your mother lived. Is it true you waited tables
at an Applebee's that fall?
A: Yes, it's true. I didn't like waiting tables, but it was a learning experience. You're
waiting tables for all kinds of people. Some people are grumpy. Some people are
bossy. I don't really like to be told what to do and not be able to say something
about it. But you have to deal with that. It helps you with your social skills."
Q: Your impressive rushing stats at San Diego State were similar, and yet they
reveal improvement: 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman in 2010 and
1,711 yards and 19 touchdowns as a 2011 sophomore. How do you look back on
your two seasons at San Diego State?
A: I wanted to improve from one year to the next, and that's what I did. I've
always been able to do that. Even from my sophomore year of high school to my
junior year, I got better. It's being able to adapt better to situations.
Q: What's been the biggest adjustment to playing in the NFL?
A: Speed. The players are faster. But mainly it's the faster pace that the offense is
going with the no-huddle.
Q: You're a speed back, and yet you haven't broken a big gain yet as a Bronco. Has
that been frustrating?
A: I don't let it be. I'm just out there playing my role and trying to help the team
win any way I can. It will come.
Ronnie Hillman file
Position: Running back
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Long Beach, Calif.
College: San Diego State
Draft: Third round , 2012, by the Broncos
2012 stats: 17 carries for 50 yards; four receptions for 37 yards. No NFL
touchdowns.
Saints, Broncos set for fireworks
Eddie Pells
Associated Press
October 28, 2012
DENVER — If the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints put on as compelling a
show on the field as they do off of it, tonight’s game should be a blockbuster.
The two teams that have captured the bulk of the NFL headlines for the past nine
months — Denver by chasing, then landing, Peyton Manning, New Orleans for its
bounty scandal — meet in what’s being plugged as an entertaining, high-scoring
shootout.
The Broncos (3-3) have Manning, who is on pace for a 4,800-yard season and, in
Denver’s last game, became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300
yards, three touchdowns and complete 70 percent of his passes in three straight
games.
Trying to keep pace with Manning is Drew Brees, who has grown used to trying to
match teams point for point this season.
New Orleans (2-4) leads the league in passing yards but is last in rushing. On the
other side of the ball, the Saints not only have the league’s last-ranked defense,
but they’ve given up more yards (2,793) than any team over the first six games
since 1950, which is as far back as STATS LLC can search its NFL database.
“I feel like, in a lot of ways, those numbers don’t tell the story,” Brees said.
Indeed, you must look beyond the numbers to figure out the Saints this year.
Almost every part of their 2012 resume so far — the pass-happy offense, the
woeful defense, games decided by an average score of 30-29 — has been shaped
by the uncertainty and turmoil that’s surrounded them since the NFL penalized
them for running a money-for-hits bounty pool.
The defense’s emotional leader, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, will play for the second
straight game this week but his future is cloudy because of the uncertain status of
his season-long suspension, which has been put on hold while it’s under appeal.
The appeal itself has been the issue of this week, with the NFL looking to former
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to decide the case and the players’ union balking at
that.
Meanwhile, Joe Vitt returns to the team as the interim head coach for the rest of
the season. Vitt, normally the linebackers coach, is coming off his own six-game
suspension and now takes over with New Orleans already four games behind
undefeated Atlanta in the NFC South. The real head coach, Sean Payton, is
suspended for the year. The Saints are also getting used to the scheme being run
by first-year defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“At the end of the day, no one wants to hear our excuses,” said Vitt, who wasted no
time and rejoined the team for the flight back from last week’s win in Tampa. “The
thing is what it is. And we’re going to be held accountable for our performance and
we’re going to be held accountable for our win-loss record and play the hand we’re
dealt.”
Not a very good hand, to hear Brees tell it. Have the Saints been getting a raw deal
this year?
“I think that’s kind of obvious at this point, isn’t it?” said the quarterback, who has
thrown at least one touchdown pass in a record 49 straight games. “But for us,
we’re midway through the season here and we’re focused on winning football
games.”
Though they’ve won two straight, the Saints still look very much like a team that
needs to score four or five touchdowns to have a chance in any given game.
Tonight’s over-under is 55½, a full eight points higher than the next highest game
on the board in Las Vegas.
Manning and the Broncos are a big part of that, as well. They have the NFL’s
fourth-ranked passing game — partly a product of Manning, who has answered all
questions about his health and arm strength after sitting out a year and becoming a
free agent, and partly because Denver has had to play come-from-behind football
in almost all its games so far.
The Broncos took that to an extreme last time they were on the field, two weeks
ago in San Diego; they turned a 24-0 deficit into a 35-24 win, marking the first
time in NFL history a team has trailed by that much and gone on to win by double
digits.
“It certainly says something good about our team, that we can come back and we
can score when we need to,” Manning said. “But we’re still looking for that 60minute game, not that 30- or 40-minute game.”
If the Saints could get even half a solid game out of their defense, it would be an
improvement. A team that’s giving up an average of 465 yards a game certainly
isn’t talking about shutting down Manning completely.
“You can try to get in his head, but more often than not you’ll probably get in your
own head and mess yourself up,” safety Roman Harper said. “If you do the same
thing two or three times, that’s when he starts to get a bead on it.”
None of the Broncos, meanwhile, want to hear about how badly the Saints have
been struggling.
“What you can’t do is get caught up in the hype,” defensive lineman Kevin
Vickerson said. “They’ve been under a lot of turmoil with the coaches and the
bounty suspensions. But at the same time, it’s still a group of good men over there.
They’ve got a good team. But it’s not really what they do. It’s what we do.”
Tracy Porter unlikely to be cleared to
face former team
Dan Hanzus
NFL.com
October 27, 2012
Denver Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter is listed as questionable for Sunday night's
game against the New Orleans Saints, but sources tell NFL.com and NFL Network's
Michelle Beisner that Porter is unlikely to play.
Porter was at the Broncos' facility for Saturday's walkthrough and reiterated his
desire to play against his former team. Beisner reported that the consensus inside
the building is that doctors will err on the side of caution.
"Everything looked normal," Porter told Beisner, "but they still want to make sure
I'm 100 percent before they put me on the field."
Porter didn't play against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 15 after experiencing
light-headedness and a racing heart -- symptoms similar to the ones he felt before
suffering a seizure in August. Porter did not practice with the team on Friday.
Porter said doctors haven't been able to pinpoint why he suffered the seizure,
though they're confident it won't happen again.
"You want to know the cause but if they can't pinpoint it, they say that's a good
thing and it's not likely you're going to have any more," he said. "With them saying
that, it takes a little stress off my chest. That makes me feel a little better."
Chris Harris is in line to take Porter's place in the lineup. Beisner reports that Harris
will start at right corner, with Tony Carter playing as the third cornerback in the
nickel package.
Sunday Playbook: Brees vs. Manning a
good bet to entertain
Milt Northrop
The Buffalo News
October 28, 2012
When two for-certain future Hall of Fame quarterbacks hook up in a National Football
League game, it’s an intriguing event.
Most of the attention in an otherwise mundane Week Eight schedule in the NFL today will be
directed towards tonight’s game between the New Orleans Saints and the Broncos in Denver
and quarterbacks Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.
Two of the most productive passers in NFL history – Brees of the Saints and Manning of the
Broncos – will go at it in the Mile High City. Their career accomplishments are already piled
a mile high, figuratively.
Last week in a 35-28 win over Tampa Bay, Brees passed for four touchdowns, adding to his
NFL record of 49 straight games with a scoring pass. It was also his 16th career game with
300 yards and four passing TDs, tying Dan Marino for the most in league history.
Manning owns the NFL record with 67 games with 300 or more passing yards. Brees has 62.
Also, Manning engineered his 47th career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter two
weeks ago when he led Denver to a 35-24 win at San Diego after the Broncos trailed 24-0.
That tied Marino for most career fourth-quarter comebacks since 1970.
No lead should be safe tonight.
The franchises have not met since 2008 and that one was an offensive show with Denver
winning, 34-32.
Game of the day
Saints (2-4) at Broncos (3-3)
TV: Ch. 2, 8:20 p.m.
The line: Broncos (-6)
The scoop: Easily the best and most interesting game on schedule matching Brees and
Manning. ... Broncos coming off a bye after rallying from 24-0 to win at San Diego. Brees
threw four TDs in first half as Saints hung on for 35-28 win at Tampa Bay. Interim head
coach Joe Vitt comes off suspension to guide Saints.
Outlook: Manning should have fun carving up Saints’ pass defense, which gave up 415
yards to Bucs’ Josh Freeman last week. Denver, 42-35.
Saints face Peyton Manning in Denver
Gary Estwick
The Sun Herald
October 27, 2012
METAIRIE-- First, the good news: The Denver Broncos are prone to slow starts.
Then the not-so-good news - at least for Saints fans entering tonight's 7:30 p.m.,
nationally-televised game: Denver, led by its future Hall of Fame quarterback,
knows how to finish strong. Peyton Manning, its mega-free agent acquisition, has
engineered two comebacks in 2012, thanks to his team's ability to make secondhalf adjustments and just as important, execute them.
While the Saints (2-4) have faced roller-coaster consistency this season in the
fourth quarter, the Broncos (3-3) have outscored opponents 79-6.
"It certainly shows we are capable of coming back, playing with a sense of
urgency," Manning said. "We're still working on being more efficient in the first
half."
Denver trailed Pittsburgh 10-7 during its Sept. 9 season opener before outscoring
the Steelers 25-9 in the second half, including 17-6 in the fourth quarter. On Oct.
15, Denver trailed San Diego 24-0 at halftime then scored 14 points in third quarter
and in the fourth, another 21 points. The Broncos won, 35-24.
"They're never out of a game because they have a quarterback who can score
points," Saints linebacker Scott Shanle said.
Manning nearly completed rallies during losses this season to Atlanta and Houston,
so if there's something the new quarterback has taught Broncos fans, it's to never
leave Mile High Stadium early.
"If there's ever been a game where we're going to put finish as a premium, it's
going to be this week," Saints Interim Coach Joe Vitt said. "We're going to have to
finish this game."
The Saints, thanks to their potent passing offense, has the ability to transform a
potent rout into a close game, which is why they have not lost a game in 2012 by
more than eight points. Still, quarterback Drew Brees and his 32nd-ranked defense
have been unable to mimic Denver's second-half efforts. The Saints have outscored
opponents 52-42 in the fourth quarter, a respectable amount of points but not
enough help from the defense.
Last Sunday, the Saints allowed Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman to lead a
late scoring drive in the fourth quarter, capped by his TD pass to Dallas Clark with
4:10 remaining. Then, after a Saints punt, Freeman drove the Buccaneers to the
Saints 9, and on a fourth down with five second left, found Mike Williams in the end
zone - but his catch was ruled illegal after he was forced out earlier in the play.
The Saints know they can't make the same mistake against Denver.
"It's a huge difference," Saints defensive tackle Akiem Hicks said of Denver's
fourth-quarter scoring differential. "We definitely want people to be able to say the
same thing about our team, and we're going to keep working hard and get to where
we need to be."
Peyton Manning’s secret workouts at
Duke a key to his rehab
Darin Gannt
ProFootballTalk.com
October 27, 2012
Peyton Manning could have gone anywhere and worked with anyone while he
rehabbed from neck surgery last year.
But Manning chose to work with one of the people he trusts the most.
Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune details the lengths Manning went to
rehab on his terms with trusted confidante David Cutcliffe at Duke University,
showing both his loyalty and desire to keep things quiet.
Cutcliffe was Manning’s college offensive coordinator at Tennessee, and Duke’s
indoor facility was an off-the-beaten-path place to work.
“It was really kind of a fun experience for he and I both,” Manning said. “We kind of
both got to go back in time, if you will. I can’t thank him enough for sacrificing that
time for me.”
After his third neck surgery on Sept. 8, 2011, Manning didn’t throw a football until
late December, when he made the first of several trips to Durham, N.C. He stayed
in a guest room at Cutcliffe’s home, and the Duke coach didn’t even tell his
assistants who was dropping by.
“Our equipment people knew he was there,” Cutcliffe said, “and that was it.”
For months he’d work out quietly, with a few spare players.
In March, Cutcliffe put Manning through the most grueling workout, a recreation of
his 2009 AFC Championship Game win over the Jets, replaying every play from that
day.
Manning flew in former Colts teammates Jeff Saturday, Austin Collie and Dallas
Clark, current Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley and former Colts offense
coordinator Tom Moore for the simulation.
“It was pretty impressive,” Stokley said. “It showed you exactly what kind of detail
Peyton went to in trying to get back. Most people would never even think about
doing something like that.”
After evaluating the tape of that practice, and comparing it side-by-side with the
Jets game, Cutcliffe was able to pronounce Manning was back.
“He was on it,” Cutcliffe said. “Some throws were better than what he did before,
with the amount of the velocity, the throws across the field. His conditioning, his
legs were back.
“Afterward, guys were saying, ‘Dang! This is Peyton.’”
While it might be a bit of a stretch to say he looks like the old Peyton, he looks
close enough to himself for the Broncos, thanks to the work Cutcliffe did during the
winter.
Broncos vs. Saints: Final Preview
Sam Davis
DenverBroncos.com
October 27, 2012
DenverBroncos.com takes an in-depth look at the Week 8 clash between the Broncos
and Saints on Sunday Night Football.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Week 8 brings another matchup of premiere quarterbacks, as
the Broncos host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football. The
Saints, a playoff team in each of the last three years, come to Denver riding a twogame winning streak after starting off 0-4. The Broncos, meanwhile, will look to build
on a stellar second-half performance in Week 6 to piece together back-to-back wins for
the first time in 2012.
WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL:
The Denver offense knows what it's up against. Each time it steps out on the field, on
the other sideline sits Saints quarterback Drew Brees and the most efficient scoring
attack in the NFL. Throughout the week, the Broncos' offensive players have embraced
added responsibility to maintain drives and finish them with points.
"They put up a lot of points, so we'll have to put up points," wide receiver Demaryius
Thomas said. "I feel like it's going to be a dog fight with who has the best offense. I'm
pretty sure our defense can get stops, but Drew Brees is a great quarterback and he's
smart. You know they'll put up points on the board so we have to go out as an offense
and try to put together a drive every time we put up points, even if it's just three. Our
goal is to get a touchdown, but every time we're on the field we want to get points."
After scoring touchdowns on three of its last four possessions in the second half against
San Diego, Thomas believes the offense will continue to build on the rhythm it
established. His confidence in his quarterback and his teammates has reached an alltime high.
"You just see (quarterback) Peyton (Manning) do his work, and do all his things, I feel
like everything was perfect," Thomas said. "I feel like the sky is the limit. I feel like
we'll just build onto that and get better."
While maintaining offensive efficiency from the second half is a goal for Denver,
another first-half performance like it had in San Diego could dig Denver in too deep a
hole.
"This is not a team that you want to fall that far behind because they have the potential
to keep scoring and keep extending that lead," Manning said. "It sure would be nice to
try to put together that 60-minute game starting this week."
WHEN THE SAINTS HAVE THE BALL:
Facing a quarterback like Brees, it's unlikely the defense will pitch a shutout. What
Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio's unit aims to accomplish on Sunday is play
mistake-free and stop the Saints from extending drives on third downs.
"This is one of those teams where you're not going to go in and shut them down,"
safety Rahim Moore said. "They're going to get their plays. But if we eliminate most of
them, then we'll be fine. They're as good as it gets on third down. All we have to do is
just challenge all throws and play hard and let the chips fall where they may."
Offensively, New Orleans looks to establish more balance than it has in its first six
games. In 2012, the Saints have passed it more than twice as much as they've ran it.
They expect that to change on Sunday night, and the defense is honoring it.
"They've got a three-headed monster back there at running back with (Mark) Ingram,
(Darren) Sproles and Pierre Thomas," defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson said. "They've
got a well-rounded offense, and we've got to come out, and it's another big test for us
to come out and prove ourselves on national television."
While Vickerson and the rest of the defensive linemen will respect the run, the biggest
challenge in playing the Saints sits directly under center. If Brees is able to continue his
recent success - 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his last three games the Broncos could be in for a long night.
"He's their bread and butter," Moore said. "He's their franchise. He's their best player.
We're going to have to really come with it."
KEY TO THE GAME: Building on a Win
The Broncos played perhaps their best half of football of the 2012 season in Week 6
against the Chargers. On Sunday night, Denver will look to carry the momentum from
the win through the bye and into Week 8, to string together its first winning streak of
the season.
"Build. That's my mindset, is building on the last game," Vickerson said. "It was a good
victory. We're trying to get a streak started ourselves and build on that game."
SERIES HISTORY
The Broncos and Saints have faced off in the regular season nine times, with Denver
taking seven of those contests. At home, the Broncos have won four of five, their only
loss coming in a 30-28 battle in 1994. Since that game, the Broncos have won the next
three contests, two in New Orleans and one at home. Most recently, the Broncos won a
close one in Denver in 2008, 34-32.
NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS
Both teams rank in the top-10 in the league in yards per game, yards per play, and
points per game. The Saints rank inside the top five in all three of those offensive
categories.
Both offenses are also very solid on third down. The Broncos convert on 45.3 percent of
third down opportunities, tied for fourth-best in the league, while the Saints are the
second-best third-down offense, converting 48.2 percent of the time.
The New Orleans defense is surrendering the most yards per game (465.5) and per
play (6.6) in 2012.
The Broncos are 29th in the league in third-down defense, allowing their opponent to
convert on 45.6 percent of their third-downs.
ANY-MINUTE MILESTONES
Safety Mike Adams needs one pass defensed to set a single-season career high.
Cornerback Champ Bailey needs one interception to tie Mike Harden (33) for the fifthmost in franchise history.
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil, with four forced fumbles on the year, is one shy of taking
the NFL lead and setting a career high in that category.
Quarterback Peyton Manning needs one game-winning scoring drive to pass Dan Marino
(47) for most all-time.
Running back Willis McGahee needs one rushing touchdown to tie Maurice Jones-Drew
of Jacksonville for the second-most among active players.
BACK TO THE BAYOU
Cornerback Tracy Porter and Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio have each spent time
with the Saints. Porter played the previous four seasons in New Orleans, while Del Rio
spent two years (1997-98) on the coaching staff.
Wide receiver Brandon Stokley hails from Lafayette, La., the same hometown as Saints
wideout Devery Henderson. Stokley played his college ball at Southwestern Louisiana.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The game will air nationally on NBC, with Al Michaels (play-by-play), and Cris
Collinsworth (color commentary) calling the game and Michele Tafoya reporting from
the sidelines.
Locally, KOA Radio (850 AM) will feature Dave Logan (play-by-play) and Ed McCaffrey
(color commentary) with Andy Lindahl reporting from the sidelines.
Celebrating for a Cause
Von Miller
DenverBroncos.com
October 27, 2012
We’re back from the bye week and focused on another tough game this week.
During the bye, I went to New York to promote my foundation, Von’s Vision, which
gives back to underprivileged kids who can’t afford glasses, eye exams, lasik
surgery and contacts. I went to New York to promote that with the hip hop dance
experience video game.
Every time I do that sack dance they donate $1,000 to my foundation, so hopefully
I can make a couple of big plays and raise money for an important cause.
I’m going to change it up a little bit, but hopefully we can see it a lot of times this
season. Every time I can do it, it means more money for Von’s Vision, which is very
important to me.
It was great to get away from football and relax your mind for a bit, but you know
what? There’s no job like this, and I’m happy to be back.
We face a really good offense this week led by Drew Brees. He’s a great
quarterback and we’re definitely going to have to be on top of our stuff. We’re
going to have to get off on third downs. Our personnel, we’re too deep, personnel
wise, with Elvis, Champ, Rahim and Tracy Porter, we should be rated a lot higher
on third downs. So, I’m hoping we have a positive week this week, get off on third
downs and that’ll be a key to this game.
It’s always great to play a primetime game, for family and friends to see nationwide, and it’s good for our city. It’s good for Denver to promote what we’re doing
out here.
Gig em!