KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have put wide receiver Terrance Copper on injured reserve and elevated wide receiver Junior Hemingway from the practice squad for their game Sunday at Denver.
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Chiefs put WR Copper on IR, elevate WR Hemingway (The Associated Press)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Last year, the Denver Broncos had plenty of practice – fall behind, stay close, go into hurry-up mode late and find some way to pull out a game with hardly any time left. This year, about the only thing the Broncos are perfecting late in games is how to line up in victory formation. With a game against the Chiefs (2-13) coming up Sunday, odds are against the Broncos (12-3) finally getting a dose of late-game drama. That means they could very well go into the postseason without having once endured the stress of needing the make-or-break score in 2012. Not even Peyton Manning , who loves to rehearse every situation and every scenario as many times as possible with his new team, can give the Broncos the real-time practice they need in that department. “You can’t do anything about changing the outcome of the game,” Manning said. “You try to simulate game-like scenarios in practice. It’s not quite the same as a game, so that’s something coach Fox and the staff have tried to do all season long.” Through 15 games, the Broncos haven’t faced a single one that has come down to the wire. Two of their three losses came by less than a touchdown, but in the 27-21 loss to Atlanta, they didn’t have the ball at the end, and in the 31-25 loss to Houston, they got it back with 20 seconds and no timeouts at their own 14-yard line – only time for a completion, a spike and one desperation play. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ 10-game winning streak has come by an average margin of 14 points. They’ve won three of those games by eight and another by seven – close enough to give the defense practice at some version of the prevent and the offense work on the run-heavy, clock-killing “four-minute drill.” But when it comes to that desperation drive with the clock running out, the kind perfected in this city by John Elway in the 1980s and 90s – nada. Practice situations, says offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, can take a team only so far. “The most important thing as a coach is to prepare your players for that,” he said. “We talk about situational football every day. If this situation comes up, what would we do? On the weekends after you see certain games, as a staff you talk about certain situations in other games and then you try to relay that message to the players.” Last season, the Broncos had no shortage of real-life, late-game stress situations. With Tim Tebow at quarterback, they got the winning score in six games in the last two minutes of regulation or overtime. This season, Manning has, in fact, engineered three game-winning drives in the fourth quarter to bring his career total to 48, the most in the NFL since the 1970 merger. But none of these has been a nail-biter. The latest go-ahead score came with 9:03 remaining in the Oct. 15 game against San Diego – the Broncos overcame a 24-0 deficit for a 35-24 win to start their winning streak. Eric Decker , who has been in Denver for both Tebow and Manning, said every practice this year includes two-minute drills and lots of scenarios “just to make sure we have things planned before we get into it.” “But we have a lot of guys in this locker room who were here last year,” Decker said. “To be able to play from behind is something you can’t practice but it’s something you build as you have experience and have success with it. I think we’ve had success with it so the confidence is there.” “But really,” Decker said, “our mindset is to get ahead and not have to worry about it.” – By Eddie Pells, AP National Writer (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Stress Test? Broncos Use Practice To Keep It Real
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Kick returner Trindon Holliday is doubtful for the Denver Broncos’ season finale against Kansas City because of a sprained ankle. The injury has sidelined him all week and prevented him from working on ways to cut down on fumbling. He has five fumbles on returns to go with touchdowns on a punt return and a kickoff return. Coach John Fox said the cure for that is “you just practice. You work on it. No different than a running back or quarterback as far as in the pocket, receivers after they catch the ball. Anytime you have that ball, you have the other 10 guys’ best interest in hand. It’ll be something that we’ll continue to work on.” Jimmy Leonhard is expected to handle punt returns and Omar Bolden the kickoff returns if Holliday doesn’t play Sunday against the Chiefs. Cornerback Tracy Porter (concussion) was ruled out for Sunday. He was injured last week just three snaps into his first game since Oct. 7. He had been sidelined after experiencing symptoms similar to those he had before a seizure during training camp. Wide receiver Denarius Moore #17 of the Oakland Raiders makes a catch against cornerback Tracy Porter #22 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on September 30, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) “That’s so unfortunate because he’s been waiting for this opportunity to get back in there. And I just hope he’s OK. I think he will be but only time will tell,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. Right guard Chris Kuper is 50-50 for Sunday after participating on a limited basis for the second straight day. He’s been sidelined with a sprained left ankle and migraines. Fox said he wasn’t worried about Kuper’s availability heading into the playoffs. “He practiced for the first time yesterday and then today. I think he’s making good progress,” Fox said. “He’s been out for a little bit. We’re just going to make sure he’s ready to play football and we’ll make that decision day to day.” Kuper has played in just six games this season. He missed the first month with a broken forearm and five of the last seven games after spraining his left ankle, the same one in which he tore ligaments in a gruesome injury on New Year’s Day. Fox said he was pleased with the progress of running back Willis McGahee , who went on recallable IR after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee Nov. 18 when he was tackled low by San Diego cornerback Quentin Jammer . McGahee is eligible to return to practice next week after missing the final six regular-season games but won’t be available to play again unless the Broncos (12-3) reach the AFC championship. “All indications are it’s on schedule and he’s getting better every day,” Fox said of McGahee’s rehab. “He won’t be ready here anytime real soon but we’ll evaluate that as we get going and finish up the regular season.” MANNING FOR MVP? Peyton Manning , the only four-time MVP in NFL history, is in the conversation for a fifth MVP award this season. Consider: His stats this year are better than the average stats he put up during his four MVP seasons: 2003, `04, `08 and `09. He averaged 370 completions in 547 passes (67.8) percent for 4,332 yards, 35 TDs and 12 interceptions with a 103.2 QB rating in his MVP years with the Indianapolis Colts. This season, he’s completed 337 of 554 passes (68.1 percent) for 4,355 yards, 34 TDs and 11 interceptions with a 103.7 QB rating. “I think what separates Peyton in any kind of voting is he’s had an exceptional year with a new team, new city and at arguably the most difficult job in pro sports, the quarterback position,” coach John Fox said. “It’s unheard of, it’s unprecedented. Nobody’s ever done it.” – By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Holliday Doubtful, Porter Out For Broncos-Chiefs
Jim Poore is back with his weekly picks against the spread for week 17
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POORE’S PICKS: Week Seventeen
NFL hands down fines for players. Ed Reed, Cam Newton and Vince Wilfork were among those facing stiff penalites for their conduct on the field.
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Wilfork, Reed, Newton Fined By League
Weekend mail call: Ben from San Diego wants to know if I think the injury-prone running back Ryan Mathews will be a Charger in 2013. Bill Williamson…
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Mailbag: Another Schottenheimer coming?
RENTON, Wash. — Through his three years as the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, John Schneider has made his way by going against the grain. To Schneider, conventional wisdom is what he makes it, and in conjunction with head coach Pete Carroll, Schneider has made a series of moves that have not only surprised the rest of the league, but also defined a Seahawks team that is the hottest in the league right now. While the league was fawning over Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and a host of other first-round quarterback picks in 2012, Schneider took West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin with the 15th overall pick. It was seen as a strange move by those who were not aware that the smaller, faster Irvin was misplaced in the 3-3-5 defense he played in college. Schneider knew better, saw that Irvin would succeed in Carroll’s multiple fronts, and he got the NFL’s rookie sack leader in return. In the second round, Schneider pulled the trigger on Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner, who is now a legitimate candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Of course, it was the third-round pick that really set Schneider and the Seahawks up for success in 2012. He and Carroll decided on Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson, who was seen by many teams to be too short to succeed in the pros. All Wilson has done since then is beat out veteran incumbent Matt Flynn, take change of the offense on a team that has scored 150 points in its last three games, and stand just one touchdown pass away from Peyton Manning’s record for touchdown passes thrown by a rookie. If Wilson can throw two scores against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, he’ll roll past Manning’s mark of 26. It’s more than the splash picks, though. Schneider has as deep a draft board as anyone in the NFL, and an absolute belief in the type of players Carroll needs. That’s how he plucked Stanford’s Richard Sherman in the fifth round of the 2011 draft — in his second year, Sherman has transformed into perhaps the best cover cornerback in the NFL. He paired Sherman with Brandon Browner, a former Denver Broncos camp washout who was imported from the Canadian Football League. Wagner was paired with K.J. Wright, a fourth-round pick from the 2011 draft, to give the Seahawks two of the rangier linebackers in the league. That Seahawks secondary is rounded out by Kam Chancellor, a fifth-round pick in Schneider’s first draft in 2010, and first-round pick Earl Thomas, who might cover more ground than any other safety around. And when Browner was suspended four games late in the season for a violation of the league’s PED policy? The Seahawks were able to throw sixth-round rookie Jeremy Lane in Browner’s place, and Lane used his speed and trail ability to keep the ball rolling. In last Sunday’s 42-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Lane and seventh-round picks J.R. Sweezy (a converted defensive tackle now playing offensive guard) and defensive end Greg Scruggs played significant roles. Jerry Reese of the New York Giants once told me that personnel guys earn their paychecks in the second and third days of the draft. By that standard, Schneider deserves a raise, no matter how much he’s making. True to form, Schneider would not make himself available to the media this week, even as so many of his picks are paying off. He’d rather grind tape and find the next great value than bring attention to himself. But Carroll had no trouble gushing about his GM when I asked him how the two men worked together.
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Seattle’s John Schneider should edge an impressive field as NFL Executive of the Year (Shutdown Corner)
By Rich Kurtzman (Credit, Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) The Denver Broncos are on a roll, looking for their 11th straight win this Sunday against the 2-13 Kansas City Chiefs, but it may not come as easily as some expect. Kansas City is fresh off three straight losses, but their running game is fifth-best in the NFL. They were the only team to gain over 100 yards on the ground against the Broncos on the winning streak, 148 yards to be exact, in Week 12 and deep-seeded rivalries are what make the AFC West entertaining. When the two teams kickoff Sunday afternoon, Denver will likely be without three would-be starters in Trindon Holliday, Tracy Porter and Chris Kuper. Porter, who began the season as the starting cornerback opposite of Champ Bailey, has missed all of the last 10 games save some of the first series last week against the Browns. He was suffering from seizure-like symptoms, which was quite worrisome, then took a big blow to the head in the Cleveland blowout, sustaining a concussion before exiting the game. He’ll be on the sidelines this week and his football future with the team is uncertain. That’s partly because second-year man Chris Harris has played more like an experienced veteran, picking off three passes and scoring twice, while learning how to deftly cover receivers at the professional level. Harris will start again this week, and he’s likely to remain the starter when the Broncos’ postseason begins. Listed as “doubtful” this week is return specialist Trindon Holliday. Holliday started out his time in Denver rather bumpy, fumbling away a punt in his first game against the Chargers. But he made up for it, scoring on a kickoff return against Cincinnati and a punt return the next week in the team’s win over Carolina. Since then, he’s been less spectacular, fumbling six times in all only to lose the one while his long returns have been mostly contained by the opposition. Holliday’s ankle is hurting too badly to play this week, so taking his place this week will be veteran safety Jim Leonhard and rookie cornerback Omar Bolden. Leonhard has already returned 13 punts for 82 total yards and one kickoff as well this year as a mostly sure-handed man the team can rely on receiving the ball cleanly. Bolden was drafted partly for his speed in the return game and it would be great to see him get a chance to take a kickoff up-field and make a play. Chris Kuper, the embattled right guard that has gone through a broken forearm, a sprained ankle and migraines, was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday which has him officially listed as “questionable.” Kuper’s important to the offensive line, yes, but pushing him to play in this almost meaningless game – with the Broncos winning the West weeks ago – would be silly to do. They’re most likely preparing him for the postseason, hoping he’ll be good to go with a couple more weeks of rest. That means Manny Ramirez, who’s looked lost at times and allowed multiple sacks this year, will again start. Denver and quarterback Peyton Manning hope Ramirez figures out who he’s supposed to block Sunday as to keep Manning off the turf and healthy heading into the playoffs. Also listed but all probable are Mike Adams (knee), Ryan Clady (shoulder), Chris Gronkowski (hamstring), Jim Leonhard (thigh), Knowshon Moreno (ribs), Brandon Stokley (quadrecep), Danny Trevathan (groin) and Matt Willis (knee). The Broncos are favorites to win by 15 points, their biggest spread in team history, and the team is expected to pull starters once a comfortable lead is built to ensure the health of their most important players. Kansas City visits Denver this Sunday with kickoff at 2:25 p.m. MT on CBS. Probable: Safety Mike Adams (knee) Tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) Fullback Chris Gronkowski (hamstring) Safety Jim Leonhard (thigh) Running back Knowshon Moreno (ribs) Wide receiver Brandon Stokley (quadrecep) Linebacker Danny Trevathan (groin) Wide receiver Matt Willis (knee) Questionable: Guard Chris Kuper (ankle, migraines) Doubtful: Kick returner Trindon Holliday (ankle) Out: Cornerback Tracy Porter (concussion) For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Broncos news, see CBS Sports Denver . Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Find more of Rich’s Denver Broncos pieces on Examiner.com .
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Trindon Holliday, Tracy Porter Out, Chris Kuper Questionable for Denver Broncos This Sunday
ENGLEWOOD — He’s not going to the Pro Bowl. He’s not even an alternate for the league’s All-Star game, but Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard still stands alone in the NFL this season.
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Broncos’ Woodyard has made history
ENGLEWOOD — If Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller weren’t wearing football helmets, the dynamic duo of Denver’s sack attack might spot a wink from one another just before a play snap.
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Broncos’ Dumervil, Miller are a headache for opposing quarterbacks