Our thanks to Lee for taking the time to answer our questions.  Remember to check Lee out everyday over at RockyMountainNews.com

MHR -- The Broncos seem to have righted the ship a bit. What has been the biggest reason? What is the feeling you have gotten being around the team?

LR - The biggest reason is the Broncos have stopped turning the ball over in bunches. It's been as straightforward statistically that when Denver has more than two giveaways, it loses; two or fewer, it wins. The other change has been defensively with the simplification of the scheme. Mike Shanahan keeps saying that the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts the Broncos were using the same "principles" but it's obvious when the three-man front was employed there were significant gap control issues that have gone away since New England. I also think going on the road may have actually been good for the Broncos, giving them an ‘us-vs.-the-world9 mentality. Having a division as putrid as the AFC West also has been beneficial because Denver knows it's going to be in the race regardless, unless it really falls on its face.

MHR -- I have contended that while the defense isn't talented with all the injuries they may be more fundamentally sound and that can go a long way. What is your take on the play of Sepncer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard and Josh Bell?

LR - I'm not sure switching to the younger players made the defense more fundamentally sound. Full-pad practices with some contact three days a week had more to do with it. As for the three rookie defenders, full disclosure, I attended the University of Arizona and thus watched a lot of Larsen's games in college. He isn't flashy but he's always around the ball and will drag the ball-carrier down without fanning much. I look at Woodyard the same way. He's really aggressive, which can sometimes be used against him when he pursues too hard and misdirection gets him, but he's consistently in position to make=2 0plays. I'm interested to see how it all plays out when Denver's at full strength, since D.J. Williams isn't going anywhere on the weak-side with his new contract and Woodyard really isn't physically suited to playing the other spots (or safety, for those wondering). Do the Broncos ask D.J. to move yet again next year to make room for Woodyard? As for Josh Bell, I probably know the least about him. But he does play with a swagger and has a ball-hawking mentality. Along with Jack Williams, they now have two young prospects to groom, making it possible to potentially let Karl Paymah go in free agency next season since Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly, because of his prohibitive contract, aren't going anywhere.

 

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DENVER POST

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Just when it seemed the Broncos might make it through the week without a serious injury, Nate Jackson suffered a season-ending hamstring injury while running a route in practice Wednesday.

Spencer Larsen has received a stamp of approval from none other than Chuck Bednarik.

I've got this really catchy quote that sums up the state of the Broncos-Raiders rivalry. At least I would have had one if Mike Shanahan had been asked about it during his Wednesday news conference.  There's your answer. There's all you need to know about the once-proud rivalry. Shanahan wasn't even asked about it.

Of all the factors that led to the Broncos' 7-9 season in 2007, Mike Shanahan will tell you the biggest was the injury bug that bit the offensive line.

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

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VOTE FOR THE 4 GREATEST BRONCOS EVER!  Rocky sports cartoonist Drew Litton is looking for a few friendly faces for his mountain. Which four Denver Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Help us decide.

As a group four months ago, they were so lacking in ability and creativity, they literally were booed off the stage.

Tight end Daniel Graham knows he can block - opposing defensive coordinators consistently use the word "dominant" about his work there. He knows the Broncos like it when he blocks because, well, they ask him to do it a lot.

In his sights frequently this week: Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, whom the Broncos' Mike Shanahan this week labeled the most underrated player he has seen in his entire NFL coaching career.

Raiders at Broncos -- The Matchups

Raiders at Broncos -- 5 Keys

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ESPN.COM

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Denver liked James when he was a free agent in 2006 before he signed with the Cardinals. The team thought he would be a good fit for its zone-blocking scheme. Coupled with the Broncos' previous interest and the fact James would fit is that Denver has a need at running back.

Whether he likes or not (and he doesn't), Michael Bush is now working at fullback in Oakland. It says here Bush should just suck it up and deal with it. The Raiders could do a lot of things with him at fullback and he could get the ball more or, at least, he could get more action.

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MISCELLANEOUS

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Since Broncos tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris went another game without giving up a sack last week, they continue to be a part of an amazing statistic. According to Stats, Inc., there are 44 offensive tackles that have started all 10 games for their teams. Only three have not allowed a full sack, and two of the three are Clady and Harris. Tennessee’s Michael Roos hasn’t allowed any sacks, and Clady and Harris have allowed a half of a sack each. The Broncos have attempted 80 more passes than the Titans this season. Indianapolis’ Charlie Johnson was on the list last week mistakenly — he has not allowed a sack but has started a few games at guard.

Teams don’t test Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who is pretty much taking away his half of the field this season. Against Carolina, star receiver Steve Smith had one catch against Asomugha for 9 yards, and Asomugha had an interception. A cornerback shouldn’t tie a Pro Bowl receiver like Smith in that matchup.

The Broncos are expected to beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, and with good reason.

With a Southern twang, a hankering for Hank Williams and exotic cowboy boots, Peyton Hillis isn't your average starting NFL running back.

Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan will take a running back, any back, throw him behind an offensive line that excels at the zone-blocking scheme, sit back and reap the dividends of yet another 1,000-yard season.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RYAN CLADY -- PRO BOWL

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Denver Broncos
Player	Injury	Wed. Participation	Thur. Participation	Fri. Participation	Friday Status
S Marlon McCree	Ankle	Out	Out
LB Nate Webster	Knee	Out	Out
LB D.J. Williams	Knee	Out	Out
RB Selvin Young	Groin	Did Not Participate	Limited Participation
CB Champ Bailey	Groin	Limited Participation	Limited Participation
DT DeWayne Robertson	Knees	Full Participation	Full Participation
TE Tony Scheffler	Groin	Full Participation	Full Participation
RB Peyton Hillis	Shoulder	Full Participation	Full Participation
RB P.J. Pope	Ribs	Full Participation	Full Participation
DT Josh Shaw	Toe/Finger	Full Participation	Full Participation
TE Nate Jackson	Hamstring	Not Listed	Out
WR Brandon Marshall	Hip	Not Listed	Full Participation
LB Jamie Winborn	Ribs	Not Listed	Full Participation
Oakland Raiders
Player	Injury	Wed. Participation	Thur. Participation	Fri. Participation	Friday Status
LB Ricky Brown	Groin	Did Not Participate	Did Not Participate
C Jake Grove	Calf	Did Not Participate	Did Not Participate
WR Javon Walker	Ankle	Did Not Participate	Did Not Participate
QB JaMarcus Russell	Knee/Ankle	Limited Participation	Limited Participation
WR Chaz Schilens	Ankle	Limited Participation	Limited Participation
DE Derrick Burgess	Triceps	Full Participation	Full Participation
RB Darren McFadden	Toe	Full Participation	Full Participation
QB Andrew Walter	Ankle	Full Participation	Limited Participation
CB Chris Johnson	Knee	Not Listed	Did Not Participate
T Mario Henderson	Back	Not Listed	Limited Participation

On going up against Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha

“I go against Champ Bailey everyday, so it is to my advantage. When I go out there and practice I go against not just Champ Bailey, but also Dré Bly. Asomugha is really good. He is probably one of the best in the business, but we are not going to back down from the challenge. It is going to be exciting.”

 

On Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha being underrated

“I was looking at the Pro Bowl voting the other day and he was like third. He honestly should be number one or two. He has only been thrown at once per game, that is his average and we threw on him three times the first game. He does a good job of shutting down one side of the field. As a receiver I love this type of game because it is a challenge.”

 

On how Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha differs from Broncos CB Champ Bailey

“Yesterday, in the phone conference (with Oakland media) I told everyone that they are similar in the way they study. They are great students of the game and you can tell by how they play. I am not there with him so I really don’t know what he is doing, but it seems like he is always in the right place. He knows what he is doing so it is definitely going to be a chess match out there.”

 

On inconsistency from game to game

“I think we are a fairly young team and at times we play immature. So far this season we have controlled our own destiny. I think we are maturing and we are more experienced. We are one (in the AFC West) right now and we are definitely a tough unit when we protect the ball and play together. Lately, we have been doing a good job with ball security and if we continue to do that, things will be good for us now and six games down the road.”

 

On how good it is to play at home this week

“Our fans are the best in the business and we are so excited to get back home. We started off the second half of the season pretty good, 2-0. We have to win at home. We are excited to play in front of our fans with the energy they give us. It is going to be a good feeling to run out of that tunnel.”

 

On Marshall missing the first game against Oakland

“That seems like three years ago to me. We are just taking it one week at a time. I am not even thinking about the past, I am not even thinking about last week. It is the Oakland Raiders right now. Their record doesn’t show how good of a team they really are and all the talent they have. It is going to take all 11 guys to get the job done.”

 

On the defense hitting in practice

“I never like getting hit, honestly. Like I said last week, we changed some things up with the way we have been practicing and it has been working for us. We haven’t been turning the ball over and hopefully we stay on that track this week, keep it rolling.”

 

On the mental effect of switching practice up

“Our mindset is different. It is that part of the season where you want to start peaking and getting everything rolling. Now is the time where your mind will mentally need to be in it. Our mindset is definitely different in practice and the way we approach things.”

 

On losing TE Nate Jackson to injury

“It is really big. We have a lot of guys that can go and everyone is an important piece to our puzzle. When you lose a guy like that it definitely takes away from what we are trying to accomplish. It is going to make it a little tougher but we still have (TE) Tony (Scheffler) and a few other guys that can get the job done. That is what Coach (Mike) Shanahan and the front office did a great job getting depth so we will be all right.”

 

On if he has thought about playing on both sides of the ball like FB/LB Spencer Larsen

“I have thought about that before but I don’t think Coach (Mike) Shanahan is going to let me do that. I am excited about what the defense has been doing the past couple of weeks. You take away two or three plays and really the defense has pretty much shut out the past couple teams. If they can get that down again this week we will be all right.”

Nate Jackson is headed for Injured Reserve.......again.

The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed free-agent tight end Chad Mustard to take Jackson's place.

Jackson was placed on the reserve/injured list with a right hamstring injury suffered in practice on Wednesday. Jackson, a sixth-year player, appeared in all 10 games (3 starts) for the Broncos this season and caught 11 passes for 84 yards (7.6 avg.) with one touchdown while posting four tackles on special teams.

Mustard (6-foot-6, 277 pounds) is in his fifth NFL season and third year with the Broncos, who waived him on Nov. 4. He saw time in three games (vs. Jac. 10/12, at N.E. 10/20 and vs. Mia. 11/2) for Denver this season after signing with the club on Oct. 6, and he also competed in its 2008 training camp.

In 44 career games (6 starts) with Denver (2006-08) and Cleveland (2002-04), Mustard has totaled 12 receptions for 123 yards (10.3 avg.). He entered the NFL with the Browns as a practice-squad signee in 2002 following a stint with the Omaha Beef of the National Indoor Football League.

Mustard played two seasons of football at the University of North Dakota after competing on its basketball team for two years. He finished his collegiate basketball career ranked eighth all-time in UND annals with 1,568 points scored.

Born on Oct. 8, 1977, Mustard attended Scotus Central Catholic High School in Columbus, Neb.

 

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It's Raider Week!!!  MHR Radio is back and better than ever with everything you need to get ready for the Raiders.  Click into the post, tune to channel 100 and ENJOY!

JUST LISTEN BABY!!!

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HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN

 

On CB Champ Bailey

“Pretty much the same thing as last week. He started loosening up and doing some drills. He was limited at practice. He is really a day-by-day scenario. We will see how he feels at the end of the week and make a decision right before the game.”

 

On T Ryan Clady ranking among the best tackles in the NFL

“I don’t evaluate all of the tackles in the NFL, but I am sure glad we have him. I can’t think of another guy I would rather have than him right now. He has played at a very high level. He has a great future and he handles himself great on and off the football field. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”

 

On Clady not giving up one full sack this season

“It is kind of unheard of, especially with as many times as we have thrown the ball.”

 

On how high character guys improve the team

“I think we have always tried to bring in high character guys. We have done that for years. We will take a chance with a player every once in a while, but if that is the standard than it won’t last very long. If a guy that has had a checkered past makes a mistake then you have to be able to get rid of him very quickly. When we do look at the draft we are trying to look at guys with high character. This year was probably as high character as we have ever had if you take a look at their test scores and how they handle themselves. We got players as well and hopefully these guys are around here for a long time.”

 

On the Raiders

“We know what the Raiders are capable of doing. They have had chances to do some good things and just haven’t finished in the fourth quarter. Our football team is smart enough to look at this team as a team who is very capable of beating anyone and we better play accordingly.”

 

On Raiders RB Darren McFadden getting better each week

“He has always been pretty good. He is averaging over five yards per carry, which is pretty impressive. He has been injured too. He has some great skill.”  

 

On Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha

“He is the most underrated football player in the history of the game. I can’t believe this guy hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl or people don’t talk about him all the time. He is off the charts and as good as it gets. He doesn’t get the attention for the way he plays consistently. He is the most underrated football player that I have ever seen in my coaching career.”

 

QUARTERBACK JAY CUTLER

 

On the number of upsets in the NFL each week

“You look across the scores every week, and there is always a game that kind of jumps out at you. It’s surprising. Everyone has talent in this league. Anyone can beat anyone, so you jut have to be ready week in and week out.”

 

On what he can take from the Week 1 win at Oakland

“Teams change so much from game one to the last game. There are different guys out there and a different gameplan by them and by us. We are pretty familiar with what they do. Their defense has been good all year. We just can’t overlook them.”

 

On Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha

“With (CB) Champ (Bailey) injured, I think he is the best (cornerback) in the NFL right now. We didn’t really mess with him the first game with (WR) Brandon (Marshall) out. We have a lot of weapons and we will see what happens with the rest of the gameplan. You just have to be careful with when you go at him and pick your battles.

 

“When he gets into off-coverage, I think he’s not at his best. When he is pressed up, he has that left arm jam that is probably one of the best in the league. He is very long and has a long stride—He is kind of deceptive with his speed and he can run with anybody. He has a good feel for when double moves are coming. He is playing at a high level.”

 

On whether he expects Asomugha to follow Marshall around

“No. He hasn’t followed anybody. We didn’t know if he might follow (WR) Eddie) Royal in that first game, but he is a lot more comfortable in that right corner position because he can get his left arm on you. When he gets over to the other side, he’s just not as effective.”

 

On former Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall being traded to the Redskins

“They have somebody else (CB Chris Johnson) over there now, and that guy is getting a lot of balls because nobody is throwing at Nnamdi. You have to be careful dealing with him, so everybody is going right against these guys.”

 

On Broncos T Ryan Clady

“You don’t find many rookies that are able to come in and play right away. We’ve been lucky offensively to have two with Eddie (Royal) and Ryan. I think at receiver, it’s a little bit easier to come in and have an impact. Quarterback and left tackle (are tough). With all of the pass rushers in this league, it’s kind of a specialty position. He has (faced) some good ones—(Miami LB) Joey Porter and (Atlanta DE John) Abraham—these last few weeks and he has held his own. We are able to do a lot more things with him—a lot more drawbacks and a lot more single protection—because he’s so solid back there.”

 

On whether Clady should be in consideration for Rookie of the Year

“Absolutely. I think he should definitely be in line for that.”

 

On having the same starters on the offensive line for every game

“It’s huge. I think that’s why we are still able to do a lot of the things we do offensively. They have been intact since training camp and OTAs. Knock on wood—we haven’t lost any of those guys yet. That’s why we are able to stick running backs in there at will and still kind of make that happen. We can still do what we want to do in the passing game because those guys have been right in the mix since day one.”

 

On his first impression of RB Peyton Hillis

“I knew Peyton. Peyton isn’t as country as everyone thinks. He’s a little bit more urban. I was familiar with Peyton when he was in college. He was a freshman (at Arkansas) when we (Vanderbilt) went down and played them. I knew he was very versatile. Obviously he has been very effective the last couple weeks and hopefully he can do it again this week.

 

“He’s a big guy. It’s just tough to go from fullback to tailback. He has made the transition well. ‘B.T.’ (Running Backs Coach Bobby Turner) has worked with him, and he wants to get better. He wants to improve each and every week and he wants to be the best out there.”

 

On whether he hears a lot about fantasy football

“Every week, somebody from the stands yells something about fantasy (football). It’s huge now. There are so many fantasy clubs out there—it’s big money.”

 

On the offense producing in consecutive road wins

“Offensively, we have stuck together pretty well through the good and the bad. There was a streak with a lot of turnovers and not a lot of points. We were always confident. We knew we had the ability to score to win ballgames in the fourth quarter. It started in practice and in the meeting rooms. We buckled down and we have been able to do it the last couple weeks.”

Denver Broncos
Player	Injury	Wed. Participation	Thur. Participation	Fri. Participation	Friday Status
S Marlon McCree	Ankle	Out
LB Nate Webster	Knee	Out
LB D.J. Williams	Knee	Out
RB Selvin Young	Groin	Did Not Participate
CB Champ Bailey	Groin	Limited Participation
DT DeWayne Robertson	Knees	Full Participation
TE Tony Scheffler	Groin	Full Participation
RB Peyton Hillis	Shoulder	Full Participation
RB P.J. Pope	Ribs	Full Participation
DT Josh Shaw	Toe/Finger	Full Participation
Oakland Raiders
Player	Injury	Wed. Participation	Thur. Participation	Fri. Participation	Friday Status
LB Ricky Brown	Groin	Did Not Participate
C Jake Grove	Calf	Did Not Participate
WR Javon Walker	Ankle	Did Not Participate
QB JaMarcus Russell	Knee/Ankle	Limited Participation
WR Chaz Schilens	Ankle	Limited Participation
DE Derrick Burgess	Triceps	Full Participation
RB Darren McFadden	Toe	Full Participation
QB Andrew Walter	Ankle	Full Participation

The Broncos need your help.  We all talk about the fact the Broncos get little to no respect on a national level.  The screw-job that is the Pro Football Hall of Fame and all the rest.  we talk about it alot.  Now we need to put our actions where our mouths are.

The NFL is currently holding voting for the 2009 Pro Bowl.  Several Broncos are deserving, but with a little less than 3 weeks left in the voting some of our Broncos need some help if they are going to get to Honolulu.

I am not asking you to vote for players you don't feel are deserving.  Specifically there are a few that i think deserve the opportunity -- Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris and Eddie Royal.

Clady, specifically, has had an incredible rookie campaign playing the toughest position on the offensive line.  Think about the following --

* Ryan Clady, whom the Broncos selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft from Boise State University, has started all 10 games at left tackle this season. He joins Miami’s Jake Long and Houston’s Duane Brown as one of just three rookies in the league to start every one of his team’s games at left tackle.

* Clady has been whistled for only two penalties in 10 starts (1 holding, 1 false start). According to Stats Inc., he has given up only half a sack (at N.E., 10/26/08) this year.

* He also has blocked for a Denver offense that leads the AFC (3^rd in the NFL) in yards per game (388.8) and ranks sixth in the league in yards per rush (4.5).

MOST STARTS, ROOKIE OFFENSIVE TACKLES, NFL, 2008

Player                                                    GP           GS           FS           Hold.       Pen-Yds.

1. Ryan Clady, Den.                             10           10           1              1              2-15

    Jake Long, Mia.                                  10           10           0              2              3-30

    Duane Brown, Hou.                           10           10           1              1              3-18

4. Branden Albert, K.C.                           9             9           0              0              0-0

5. Jeff Otah, Car.                                     6             6            3              1              4-25

That list just doesn't include AFC rookies, that is all rookies.  Clady has also gone up against some of the best pass rushers in the NFL including Joey Porter and John Abraham and has come out only giving up a 1/2 sack all season.  Another indication of his dominance is the fact that Daniel Graham is becoming a bigger part of the passing game.  That can only happen if Graham is not required to stay back and block.

Please take a few minutes every day to go vote for Clady and any other Broncos you feel are worthy.  After the jump are the voting results to date.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE 2009 PRO BOWL

**Fan voting accounts for a third of the final tally with players and coaches making up the other two-thirds.**

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