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Just passing on a couple more articles I think my fellow Broncomaniacs will enjoy. These two are from the Rocky Mountain News, the first on Dumervil as well as an injury update. I sure hope Elvis meets his goals:
Monday’s Broncos report: Dumervil aims for double-digit sack total
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
August 27, 2007
The bar has been set.
Elvis Dumervil has established his goal for sacks this season coming off a promising rookie year.
And he's shooting high.
"Definitely 12 to 15," he said Monday.
Dumervil was inactive the first three games of last season but ended up leading the team with 8 1/2 sacks. And after an offseason when he worked hard on better using his hands and varying his overall repertoire of pass-rush moves, it's his belief his goal is easily attainable.
"Very much so, especially with the corners we have in Dré Bly and Champ Bailey," Dumervil said. "It's really like stealing. I think up front we have to take it upon ourselves to get after it because we have guys that can cover."
Simon Fletcher set the Broncos' record with 16 sacks in 1992. No one else has gotten more than 13 1/2.
Dumervil, who recorded a sack in his start against Cleveland, was particularly impressive on a bull- rush of Browns tackle Joe Thomas, the third pick in this year's draft, that forced Cleveland quarterback Charlie Frye out of the pocket and into teammate Amon Gordon's arms.
Dumervil has been fighting a reputation as a specialist, given his 5-foot-11, 260-pound frame. But he has insisted he can hold up in the pros against the run despite facing bigger, stronger and quicker athletes.
"I'm going to play my best and keep that spot," he said.
Feeling good
Running back Travis Henry returned to the practice field for the first time since spraining his left knee in the Broncos' Aug. 18 preseason game against Dallas. He wore a brace and took limited repetitions with the scout team.
Henry admitted he was "a little timid" running to his left but said this week's practices should be enough for him to get back his conditioning for a full workload next week in preparation for the opener.
"No pain," he said. "They just wanted me to feel my way, so I was just picking and choosing when I burst when I felt good. It was just to see how I was, and it was great."
The backfield was replenished all around, as Mike Bell (hip) and Andre Hall (groin, hamstring) also returned to practice after extended absences.
On defense, end Tim Crowder made his first appearance since spraining his left ankle Aug. 16.
Watching and waiting
It appears guard Ben Hamilton (concussion) will not play against the Cardinals, as had been originally hoped. But his agent, Peter Schaffer, did not rule out his client returning for the regular-season opener.
"I would imagine Thursday's out," Schaffer said. "That's just too soon."
The agent stressed Hamilton hasn't had a setback; instead, it's the team and everyone involved proceeding with extreme caution given the nature of the injury.
"What is proper risk and what is unnecessary risk?" Schaffer said. "We're in consultation with the Broncos, and nobody wants to take unnecessary risk because it's the regular-season games that matter."
Schaffer admitted getting Hamilton in playing shape could be an issue with 12 days before the season starts against Buffalo.
"But no one works harder than Ben," he said. "It's one of those things where it's better to air on the side of caution. And I'm happy the Broncos aren't pushing him and being overly cautious."
Paring the roster
Defensive end Kenard Lang was the best-known figure among the first round of cuts to 75 players, though the team hadn't officially submitted the list to the NFL, pending today's 2 p.m. league deadline.
Lang, 32, started all 16 games for only the third time in his career last season, following Courtney Brown's season-ending left knee injury. His departure leaves the Broncos with five ends, plus swing player Alvin McKinley, and means rookies Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss will inherit more critical roles.
Others absent as the team began preparations for the final preseason game Thursday included defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, receivers David Terrell and David Kircus, kicker Brandon Pace, running backs Cedric Cobbs and Troy Fleming and tight end Teyo Johnson.
The Broncos had 78 players on the roster as of Monday's practice. That total includes receiver Rod Smith, who is on the physically unable to perform list and doesn't officially count.
He said it
"We call it 'The Sniper' - The Sniper's going to shoot them out - or the 'Grim Reaper.' It's tough for guys around this time."
Travis Henry, running back, on the reality players might not have jobs with cuts looming this week.
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
August 27, 2007
The bar has been set.
Elvis Dumervil has established his goal for sacks this season coming off a promising rookie year.
And he's shooting high.
"Definitely 12 to 15," he said Monday.
Dumervil was inactive the first three games of last season but ended up leading the team with 8 1/2 sacks. And after an offseason when he worked hard on better using his hands and varying his overall repertoire of pass-rush moves, it's his belief his goal is easily attainable.
"Very much so, especially with the corners we have in Dré Bly and Champ Bailey," Dumervil said. "It's really like stealing. I think up front we have to take it upon ourselves to get after it because we have guys that can cover."
Simon Fletcher set the Broncos' record with 16 sacks in 1992. No one else has gotten more than 13 1/2.
Dumervil, who recorded a sack in his start against Cleveland, was particularly impressive on a bull- rush of Browns tackle Joe Thomas, the third pick in this year's draft, that forced Cleveland quarterback Charlie Frye out of the pocket and into teammate Amon Gordon's arms.
Dumervil has been fighting a reputation as a specialist, given his 5-foot-11, 260-pound frame. But he has insisted he can hold up in the pros against the run despite facing bigger, stronger and quicker athletes.
"I'm going to play my best and keep that spot," he said.
Feeling good
Running back Travis Henry returned to the practice field for the first time since spraining his left knee in the Broncos' Aug. 18 preseason game against Dallas. He wore a brace and took limited repetitions with the scout team.
Henry admitted he was "a little timid" running to his left but said this week's practices should be enough for him to get back his conditioning for a full workload next week in preparation for the opener.
"No pain," he said. "They just wanted me to feel my way, so I was just picking and choosing when I burst when I felt good. It was just to see how I was, and it was great."
The backfield was replenished all around, as Mike Bell (hip) and Andre Hall (groin, hamstring) also returned to practice after extended absences.
On defense, end Tim Crowder made his first appearance since spraining his left ankle Aug. 16.
Watching and waiting
It appears guard Ben Hamilton (concussion) will not play against the Cardinals, as had been originally hoped. But his agent, Peter Schaffer, did not rule out his client returning for the regular-season opener.
"I would imagine Thursday's out," Schaffer said. "That's just too soon."
The agent stressed Hamilton hasn't had a setback; instead, it's the team and everyone involved proceeding with extreme caution given the nature of the injury.
"What is proper risk and what is unnecessary risk?" Schaffer said. "We're in consultation with the Broncos, and nobody wants to take unnecessary risk because it's the regular-season games that matter."
Schaffer admitted getting Hamilton in playing shape could be an issue with 12 days before the season starts against Buffalo.
"But no one works harder than Ben," he said. "It's one of those things where it's better to air on the side of caution. And I'm happy the Broncos aren't pushing him and being overly cautious."
Paring the roster
Defensive end Kenard Lang was the best-known figure among the first round of cuts to 75 players, though the team hadn't officially submitted the list to the NFL, pending today's 2 p.m. league deadline.
Lang, 32, started all 16 games for only the third time in his career last season, following Courtney Brown's season-ending left knee injury. His departure leaves the Broncos with five ends, plus swing player Alvin McKinley, and means rookies Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss will inherit more critical roles.
Others absent as the team began preparations for the final preseason game Thursday included defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, receivers David Terrell and David Kircus, kicker Brandon Pace, running backs Cedric Cobbs and Troy Fleming and tight end Teyo Johnson.
The Broncos had 78 players on the roster as of Monday's practice. That total includes receiver Rod Smith, who is on the physically unable to perform list and doesn't officially count.
He said it
"We call it 'The Sniper' - The Sniper's going to shoot them out - or the 'Grim Reaper.' It's tough for guys around this time."
Travis Henry, running back, on the reality players might not have jobs with cuts looming this week.
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