Broncos ignite their pass rush
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
December 19, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - The Broncos sacked Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart three times Sunday with what coach Mike Shanahan called "the best pass rush we've had in a game in a long time."
Shanahan would like to see a little more of the same this weekend against the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals.
"(The) thing I was pleased with on our defense was our pass rush," Shanahan said. "Even though we (had) three sacks, we could have easily had six or seven sacks. You get that type of pressure, everybody else is going to look good."
The Bengals, who have battled injuries in the offensive line for much of the season, have recovered from their early season struggles in protecting quarterback Carson Palmer.
Sunday's game was the Broncos' first three-sack game since a Nov. 12 win in Oakland, when they also had three.
"You've got to get push inside, speed outside," Shanahan said. "We kept Matt a little bit off balance most of the day. He's been throwing the ball exceptionally well. . . . To keep him off balance is really a credit to the guys up front."
The fact the Broncos mustered pressure with four rushers most of the time allowed them to adjust in coverage when cornerback Darrent Williams missed the game with a toe injury.
"You've got to be able to do it with four, and if you can't do it with four, you've got to do it with six or seven," Shanahan said. "But if you do it with six or seven, you've got to be on your toes because one mistake can lead to a big play."
ROLL WITH IT: Shanahan said Mike Bell got the majority of the carries in the second half Sunday because he was running better than Tatum Bell.
Tatum Bell got just five more carries after fumbling in the second quarter, a fumble the Cardinals returned 4 yards for a touchdown. Tatum Bell finished with 29 yards on 18 carries, while Mike Bell had 61 yards on 16 carries to go with two touchdowns.
Shanahan said after the game he would have to talk to running backs coach Bobby Turner to see why Turner went with Mike Bell more in the second half.
"He kind of gets a feel of how the backs are feeling during the game," Shanahan said Monday. "Bobby felt at that time, Mike was running a little bit better than Tatum was, like he was the hot back, and gave him some more opportunities, and after looking at the film, he was right.
"Mike was playing exceptionally well. Tatum wasn't having one of his better games."
MORE CHANCES: Shanahan said Quincy Morgan, after returning kickoffs 64 and 38 yards in the second half, would return kicks against the Bengals on Sunday. Morgan had been inactive for seven games before Sunday.
"Quincy made a couple big plays," Shanahan said. "It was nice to see some good field position out of our special teams."
INJURY REPORT: Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker suffered a first-degree separation in his shoulder and received treatment. Walker might be limited in practice this week, but Shanahan said he expected him to play against the Bengals.
Tight end Stephen Alexander (ribs) was limited Sunday and will be evaluated through the week, but he was another player Shanahan expected to play against Cincinnati.
Cornerback Darrent Williams (toe) was improved and will be looked at Wednesday in practice. Safety Steve Cargile, who had 4 1/2 special teams tackles Sunday in his first game for the Broncos, got treatment for a sprained ankle Monday.
ETC.: Asked about the Bengals being in the playoff race despite having eight players get arrested during the past year, Shanahan said he hadn't seen much about it and, "I've got enough problems just working with us." . . . Former Broncos defensive tackle Mario Fatafehi, a starter in 2004, had a workout in Detroit.
