DENVER (AP) — Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter missed his second straight game Sunday night because of symptoms he continues to experience following a seizure he had in August.
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Tracy Porter doesn’t get shot at former team (The Associated Press)
The New Orleans Saints offense should receive a lift against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night as tight end Jimmy Graham is active after missing last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an ankle injury he sustained against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 7. Graham led the Saints with 99 receptions for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011, but has just 25 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns through the first seven weeks (six games) of 2012. Denver will be without cornerback Tracy Porter, who has not been cleared by the team’s medical staff after experiencing the same symptoms – light headedness, dizziness, increased heart rate – as when he suffered a seizure in August. The Broncos held Porter out of their Oct. 15 win over the Chargers. New Orleans : WR Joe Morgan, TE Daniel Graham, OT Bryce Harris, DT Tyrunn Walker, DT Brodrick Bunkley, LB David Hawthorne, LB Scott Shanle
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Jimmy Graham is active for the Saints; Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter sits (Shutdown Corner)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Some teams like to say the fourth quarter is theirs. The Denver Broncos are taking it to a different level. With Peyton Manning putting a new spin on the art of the comeback almost every week and the Denver defense doing its part to keep him in every game, the Broncos have outscored their opponents 79-6 in the fourth quarter this season. The 73-point differential is 37 points better than the next best team, the New York Giants, and is the second-highest total through six games in the Super Bowl era. Only the 1980 Detroit Lions, who finished 9-7, had a better differential at this point in the season, according to STATS LLC. The `80 Lions outscored teams 84-10. Or course, some of Denver’s strong finishes have come out of necessity – make that, desperation – because of slow starts that have also become a trademark of this team early in the year. The Broncos have been outscored 98-42 in the first half. The slow starts have caused handwringing, while the fast finishes have kept Denver (3-3) competitive and, at times, triggered huge sighs of relief. “We’re 3-3,” said Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil . “If we were sitting at 5-1, it’d be something where we’d say, `OK, that’s great.’ But we just know the second half, we’ve been in situations where we’ve had to rally and try to come back. For that to happen, we’ve had to shut some points down. Now, we just have to figure out how to make that happen in the first half.” If they do, watch out. The defense has allowed only six points, one measly touchdown, in the fourth quarter. That came in the season opener, when Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger connected with Mike Wallace for a 3-yard touchdown pass. If Denver holds New Orleans (2-4) without a point in the fourth quarter Sunday, it will match the franchise record – six straight games without allowing a fourth-quarter point. The record is held by the 1977 defense – the vaunted “Orange Crush” that took the franchise to its first Super Bowl. Led by Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson and Louis Wright, the `77 Broncos didn’t allow a point over their final six regular-season games. That year’s team was built on defense; it allowed more than 14 points only once all season. This year, the dominance can be explained in different ways, depending on the game. “Atlanta, they’re trying to play keep away at the end and we’re forcing three-and-outs and getting the ball back and making a rally,” defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. “Oakland’s trying to get production so they can feel good about things. Pittsburgh, Big Ben has the ball in his hands and we had to make stops to close the game. Every game’s different. I don’t think you can summarize it in one sentence.” One thing that has been constant, Del Rio said: “The heightened awareness in the fourth quarter has been there no matter what.” In their last game, the Broncos outscored San Diego 21-0 in the fourth quarter to cap off a comeback from 24-0 down for a 35-24 win. Chris Harris closed the victory with a 46-yard interception return for a score, meaning Harris himself has actually scored as many fourth-quarter points as the entire defense has allowed this year. “It’s definitely what we’re trying to do, trying to eliminate points in crunch time,” he said. “We’re trying to be our best in the fourth quarter and the same intensity and urgency we bring in the fourth, we need to bring that in the first half.” For the most part, Manning and the offense have been getting the brunt of the blame for the poor first halves. “Quarterbacks are more fun to talk about. It’s sexier,” Del Rio explained. In some games, the offense has committed turnovers to stall drives. In others, it has settled for field goals. “You have to be careful of over-analyzing it and, then, all of a sudden, changing what you’re doing,” Manning said. “Because I think we all are close.” Manning’s fourth-quarter passer rating is 118.4, best in the AFC. He has thrown for six touchdowns and no interceptions and 503 yards over the final 15 minutes of games. That’s helped Denver get close in the three games it has lost and pull away in the three games it has won. No easy way to explain it? Or maybe there is. “I think it’s just guys with heart,” Dumervil said. “Just fighting, not quitting and trying to will it through to the end. We’re a team that you know is going to fight hard to the end.” – By Eddie Pells, AP National Writer (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Tracy Porter wants to play. At this point, though, the Broncos cornerback knows it’s his health, not his opinion, that counts. Porter missed practice Friday and was still waiting to hear if doctors would clear him to play Sunday against his former team, the New Orleans Saints, after he experienced symptoms similar to those he felt before having a seizure earlier this year. Porter wasn’t allowed to fly to Denver’s last game, at San Diego on Oct. 15, after he began experiencing light-headedness and a racing heart – similar to the symptoms he felt before his seizure in August. “I want to play,” Porter said in the locker room after practice Friday. “I’ve been out long enough with this. But the coaches, the training staff and the doctors are going to make a decision that’s best for me. If they say I can’t play, I’ve got to deal with it and look forward to playing next week. But if they say I can play, I’ll be ready to play.” Coach John Fox said Porter’s status was “day-to-day.” “It’s nothing to mess around with, but I’m not going to deny him the right to play if he’s healthy enough to play,” Fox said. Tony Carter and Chris Harris are the backups and both were listed as such on lineup cards printed by the team for Sunday’s game. Playing in place of Porter in the San Diego game, Carter returned a fumble for a touchdown and Harris took an interception for a score in a 35-24 win. The Saints, with Drew Brees leading the league’s top-ranked passing offense, figure to be as tough a challenge as the Denver secondary will face all season. “We know there’s going to be a lot of balls in the air, but when they do catch it, we have to make the tackle and line up for the next play,” Harris said. For his part, Porter said he’d like to be the man covering the receivers and making those tackles. The fifth-year veteran, who signed with Denver as a free agent before this season, was one of the stars for the Saints three years ago in the Super Bowl, when he picked off Peyton Manning ‘s pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown while Manning was trying to guide the Colts to a tying touchdown. This would be Porter’s first game against his ex-teammates. He said the medical issues have not hindered him physically, even though he has not been cleared to practice. “I’ve been preparing all week as if I’m playing – watching film, studying these guys,” Porter said. “The only thing is, I wasn’t physically out there at practice. Mentally, I’m ready to play, but if they say I’m not ready, then I’ll just have to wait.” – By Eddie Pells, AP National Writer (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
COMMENTARY | The San Diego Chargers fell to the Cleveland Browns, 7-6 in a game that exposed the Bolts for what they really are — a bad football team.
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San Diego Chargers Fall to Browns 7-6, Show They’re Not a Good Football Team (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Andrew Luck came through against the Tennessee Titans just like the Colts quarterback he replaced used to.
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Luck’s TD pass in OT leads Indy over Titans 19-13 (The Associated Press)
DENVER (CBS4) – As Denver Broncos fans headed out to the game on Sunday, local business owners near the Pepsi Center were hoping to cash in. Dozens of people began lining up at Brooklyn’s restaurant Sunday even before the doors were open. Dressed in their best orange and blue, Broncos fans were ready to get the party started hours before the game. “We’re just out enjoying a couple drinks, enjoying the games, watching the early games, just getting ready for the game tonight,” Matt Zalucki said. “I came all the way from New York just to see the game. I go whenever they’re in the area too,” Tony Cesare said. Three buddies were making a day of the game. It’s encouraging for manager Kyle Gutherz. Restaurants like Brooklyn’s and next door Tailgate Roadhouse depend on Pepsi Center events. After hearing the NHL season was canceled through Nov. 30, he was a bit concerned about business. “We are starting to see and make projections based on that. Obviously business will be down. We really wish the Nuggets will start a bit earlier, but obviously we don’t have any control over that,” Gutherz said. But with Broncos games playing at nearby Sports Authority Field during prime time, they’re seeing a dinner rush before fans head to the game. “We’re seeing great crowd turnout. A lot of people are coming to the games. A lot of people are coming here for burgers and beers beforehand. The later the game, the longer we actually get to serve the guests,” Gutherz said. Gutherz still hopes to see the Avalanche players back on the ice and soon. Until then he’s welcoming Broncos fans for lunch and dinner. Brooklyn’s and Tailgate Roadhouse’s managers want fans to know they are still open despite the NHL lockout.
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Broncos In Prime Time Helps Restaurants During NHL Lockout
The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed the Washington Redskins to Heinz Field Sunday, and wanted to honor their past at the same time. To that end, the franchise outfitted its players in throwback uniforms from the 1934 season. Reaction was not good before the Steelers took the field, but when we were able to see eleven men wearing huge bumblebee unis at the same time, the true awfulness of the wardrobe mishap was made apparent. Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor claims to approve, though he had to go a ways to validate the move. “I like them. I like the throwback, man,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . That bumblebee, jailhouse look from back in the day,” How would he describe the uniforms, strictly in a fashion sense? “I’ll try to put ’swag’ and ’swurve’ in the same word,” he said. “How about ’swavvin’? You got to have that Looney Toons accent like Porky the Pig when you say it, too. ‘Swav-v-v-v-v-v-v-in.’” Nose tackle Casey Hampton echoed Taylor’s concern that the unis would look worse in larger players. “Sideways stripes don’t do me no good,” Hampton said.. “Honestly, any uniform does me bad, so it can’t really get any worse than it already is.”
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Pittsburgh Steelers give us a new era of uniform horribleness (Shutdown Corner)
DENVER — ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting some teams are interested in Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams. Denver is naturally a team to keep …
The New York Jets made an intriguing addition to their 53-man roster on Saturday when they terminated the contract of veteran wide receiver Jason Hill and promoted tight end Hayden Smith from the practice squad. As Rich Cimini of ESPN New York notes, the 27-year-old Smith played rugby professionally in England before deciding to give American football a try during the offseason. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Smith worked with former University of Minnesota coach Tim Brewster before officially signing with the Jets on April 9. Brewster coached tight ends at the North Carolina and Texas, as well as with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers at the NFL level, coaching former Kent State basketball star Antonio Gates when he entered the NFL in 2003. “A lot of coaches shy away from guys who haven’t played the game because it is an exhausting process. To me, that’s the exciting part ,” Brewster told the Daily Telegraph in April. “Taking a piece of clay like that. And I am going to tell you, Hayden Smith is one beautiful piece of clay. Just mold him into what you want him to be.”
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Jets sign former rugby player Hayden Smith to active roster (Shutdown Corner)