Good Morning, Broncos fans! Can you believe we're only two days away from Thursday night's season opener against the Ravens?
- Joel Dreessen is not expected to play Thursday, while C.J. Anderson definitely will not
- Champ Bailey will be a game-time decision
- Derek Wolfe says he's fully recovered from his neck injury and will play
Broncos
Videos: John Fox, Jack Del Rio, Adam Gase, Champ Bailey, Wesley Woodyard, and several others speak after Monday's practice.
Del Rio says one of his prime focuses is on cutting down on how many big plays Denver's defense allowed last season, even if it was already a small number.
David Bruton was surprised to be named Denver's special teams captain.
Naturally, Tavarres King was bummed to get cut after his first camp, but ready to work on the practice squad.
Jeff Legwold expects JDR to try to generate his pass rush with Wolfe, Shaun Phillips, Robert Ayers, Malik Jackson, and Wesley Woodyard.
Terrell Davis will handle Thursday's coin toss.
Ravens
Starting DT Arthur Jones and TE Dennis Pitta have been ruled out for Baltimore, while WR Deonte Thompson, C Ryan Jensen, and DT Brandon Williams are likely to be out; TE Ed Dickson was a full practice participant and expects to play.
Thursday will not only be the much-discussed homecoming of Elvis Dumervil, but it will also mark the return of Brandon Stokley.
It's undeniable that the Ravens can be happy they're not facing Elvis and Von Miller.
Let's hope PMFM has a more inspirational speech for his boys than does Joe Flacco.
News
Oakland signed tackle Tony Pashos, waived Alex Barron, added fourth-round QB Tyler Wilson to their practice squad, and will reportedly name Terrelle Pryor their starting quarterback.
Miami added Eagles draft bust G Danny Watkins; Pittsburgh signed ex-Pats punter Zoltan Mesko; New England will add TE Matthew Mulligan; Buffalo signed K Dan Carpenter; St. Louis extended DE Eugene Sims; tackle Jason Smith will visit the Titans; Shanny announced that RG3 will start on Monday night against the Eagles.
Is there anything more lame duck-ish than Rex Ryan skipping town during final cuts to attend Clemson's game because his son is on the team (but didn't play)?
Former Oregon safety John Boyett, whose spring workout the Broncos had attended, was cut by the Colts after he tried to use his NFL status to avoid arrest.
Analysis
In light of the concussion settlement, retired linebacker Scott Fujita is disappointed we won't get to learn what the NFL knew and how they discussed concussions behind closed doors all these years, but he's happy for the ex-players who will receive the care they so desperately need.
Mike Tanier predicts the Niners over the Pats for SB 48, would include Rick Upchurch and Jason Elam in a special teams HOF, and declares Tim Tebow's NFL career to be over.
Pat Kirwan thinks Washington kept four quarterbacks for the purpose of hoarding trade bait.
He didn't play much this preseason thanks to his knee injury, but C.J. Anderson caused six missed tackles on his 15 carries, a figure that was only topped by eight backs around the league.
Sarah Sprague interprets PK's MMQB column; Peyton's long neck helps make him quite the centaur.
Doug Farrar expects Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater to give Jadeveon Clowney some serious competition to become the top overall pick in next year's draft.