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Although still a work in progress, the Broncos' special teams had their best game of the season in a 31-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
"It was a lot better," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of the special-teams play. "We've got work to do, but we were better in all phases."
The Steelers didn't have a return of longer than 24 yards, and the Broncos were flying to the ball on coverage units much better than in previous games. Linebacker Jamie Winborn had a big hit on kick coverage, and linebacker Jordan Beck had two special-teams tackles five days after signing with the team.
P.J. Alexander and Chad Mustard, also signed last week, both made contributions on special teams.
The team used Selvin Young and Glenn Martinez on kick returns. Martinez was the punt returner for the second consecutive game. The team previously had Domenik Hixon (now with the New York Giants) and Brian Clark as returners. Martinez had a 31-yard kick return Sunday and Young had a 35-yard return.
"I liked what the kids did on returns," Shanahan said. "They both have a good feel for it."
Marshall update. Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been ordered to appear in court Nov. 21 after his arrest for the suspicion of driving drunk early Monday morning in downtown Denver. Marshall, 23, was stopped by police while driving a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer, according to a Denver police incident report, for driving the wrong way on a one-way road and failure to drive in a single line.
Under the NFL's recent personal conduct policy, Marshall could face a short suspension if he is convicted. Marshall was arrested for domestic violence in March, but the charges were later dropped and will have no bearing on this case or his status with the NFL's discipline code.
Workouts. Among the four wide receivers the Broncos worked out Tuesday was veteran Bethel Johnson, a 2003 second-round pick by New England. Known for his speed, Johnson had success as a receiver and a return man while with the Patriots. He was traded last year to New Orleans and cut by the Saints. He was later cut by Minnesota last season.
The Broncos also looked at receivers Taylor Jacobs, Chad Owens and Cliff Russell.
Vested interest. Agent Bus Cook will travel to Denver from his Mississippi home for Monday night's game between the Broncos and Green Bay.
Cook represents both quarterbacks in the game: the Broncos' Jay Cutler and the Packers' Brett Favre.
"I have to be there for that one," Cook said.
Cook said Cutler is already proving his hunch that he is a Favre-like player.
"Jay's got a lot of Brett's desire in him and the same tenacity that Brett has. Jay is his own player, but like Brett, he doesn't worry about anything but winning games - and like Brett has been, I think he will be very successful. ... It's going to be fun to see them on the field together."
Footnotes. The Broncos officially released details of the time change for Monday night's game against Green Bay. Kickoff will be moved from 6:40 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. only if there is a Game 5 of the World Series at Coors Field. ... Public address announcer Alan Cass is scheduled to return Monday. He was afflicted with West Nile disease for the past two months.
Although still a work in progress, the Broncos' special teams had their best game of the season in a 31-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
"It was a lot better," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of the special-teams play. "We've got work to do, but we were better in all phases."
The Steelers didn't have a return of longer than 24 yards, and the Broncos were flying to the ball on coverage units much better than in previous games. Linebacker Jamie Winborn had a big hit on kick coverage, and linebacker Jordan Beck had two special-teams tackles five days after signing with the team.
P.J. Alexander and Chad Mustard, also signed last week, both made contributions on special teams.
The team used Selvin Young and Glenn Martinez on kick returns. Martinez was the punt returner for the second consecutive game. The team previously had Domenik Hixon (now with the New York Giants) and Brian Clark as returners. Martinez had a 31-yard kick return Sunday and Young had a 35-yard return.
"I liked what the kids did on returns," Shanahan said. "They both have a good feel for it."
Marshall update. Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been ordered to appear in court Nov. 21 after his arrest for the suspicion of driving drunk early Monday morning in downtown Denver. Marshall, 23, was stopped by police while driving a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer, according to a Denver police incident report, for driving the wrong way on a one-way road and failure to drive in a single line.
Under the NFL's recent personal conduct policy, Marshall could face a short suspension if he is convicted. Marshall was arrested for domestic violence in March, but the charges were later dropped and will have no bearing on this case or his status with the NFL's discipline code.
Workouts. Among the four wide receivers the Broncos worked out Tuesday was veteran Bethel Johnson, a 2003 second-round pick by New England. Known for his speed, Johnson had success as a receiver and a return man while with the Patriots. He was traded last year to New Orleans and cut by the Saints. He was later cut by Minnesota last season.
The Broncos also looked at receivers Taylor Jacobs, Chad Owens and Cliff Russell.
Vested interest. Agent Bus Cook will travel to Denver from his Mississippi home for Monday night's game between the Broncos and Green Bay.
Cook represents both quarterbacks in the game: the Broncos' Jay Cutler and the Packers' Brett Favre.
"I have to be there for that one," Cook said.
Cook said Cutler is already proving his hunch that he is a Favre-like player.
"Jay's got a lot of Brett's desire in him and the same tenacity that Brett has. Jay is his own player, but like Brett, he doesn't worry about anything but winning games - and like Brett has been, I think he will be very successful. ... It's going to be fun to see them on the field together."
Footnotes. The Broncos officially released details of the time change for Monday night's game against Green Bay. Kickoff will be moved from 6:40 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. only if there is a Game 5 of the World Series at Coors Field. ... Public address announcer Alan Cass is scheduled to return Monday. He was afflicted with West Nile disease for the past two months.
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