Veterans say it's time to quit talking, start doing
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
December 14, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - After a few days hearing the chatter around the Broncos locker room during their current four-game losing streak, tight end Stephen Alexander said it might be time for a little less talk and a lot more action.
When answering a question about "vocal leaders" in the Broncos locker room doing something to snap the team out of its current skid, Alexander said, "I don't know that it's always about talking. . . . The guys who are our leaders are the guys who go out and break their butt. Watch Rod Smith, every day in practice, training camp, mini- camp; he's going to go out and bust his butt.
"The most important thing is to go out and show people what you're going to do, not just sit here and talk about it. Nobody wants to listen to people talk about what we need to do or what we're going to do. It's about going out and showing people . . . how we can play."
Alexander and some of the team's other veteran players said it's all a byproduct of when a team loses. Especially when a team such as the Broncos had such high expectations entering the season.
"When you win, everything is hunky-dory, it's fun to come work," Alexander said. "When you're on a losing streak, you're looking for a way to get out of it.
"We win out the next three games, we're still in the playoffs. It's not going to happen on its own. We have to go out and do the work, make some plays on the field."
Some of the team's players also still were discussing the playoff chances if the Broncos were to win their remaining games against Arizona (4-9), Cincinnati (8-5) and San Francisco (5-8).
"The only thing I want to know about is Arizona," defensive end Kenard Lang said.
"Playoffs now? That's not even here. All we need to worry about is Arizona. When we get there, that's cool, cross that bridge when we get to it."
WILLIAMS LIMITED: Cornerback Darrent Williams, who has questioned the team's defensive scheme in recent days, calling it "too vanilla," was limited in practice Wednesday because of a sore toe. Williams also has played with a sore shoulder since separating it earlier this season.
"The toe just started bothering him (Tuesday), a-nd he tried to run a little bit and it didn't go so well," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "I think he'll be OK, but we'll see how he is."
The Broncos listed Williams as probable - 75 percent chance of playing - on their injury report Wednesday.
That injury could be a problem if it gets any worse, considering the Cardinals prefer to run their offense with three receivers on the field. To respond to that, the Broncos could spend much of the game Sunday using five defensive backs.
Also on Wednesday, Alexander, who suffered bruised ribs in a loss Sunday in San Diego, was held out of some portions of practice and was wearing heavy padding on the injury.
Tackle Adam Meadows, who has missed the past two games because of a pulled left hamstring, also was limited some in practice.
TOUGH LOVE: The Broncos certainly liked the fact rookie tight end Tony Scheffler had his first two touchdown catches of his career Sunday. It's just tight ends coach Tim Brewster wasn't all that happy with Scheffler's pass routes in either case.
Especially Scheffler's first scoring catch - a 28-yarder to end the Broncos' first possession of the third quarter. Scheffler came off the field and immediately was met by Brewster.
"A guy catches a touchdown pass and he's getting an earful about the route," Alexander said.
"It wasn't the best route, but they improvised a little bit. Coach 'Brew,' though, he's about the little things. That's what makes you a good player. I think Tony understands that."
ETC.: Shanahan said linebacker Al Wilson came through the game Sunday fine. Wilson had been removed from the field on a backboard the previous week during the loss to the Seahawks and taken to Sky Ridge Medical Center for tests on his sprained neck. Tests were negative, and Wilson started and played against the Chargers. Wilson said after the game Sunday he felt "good, really good." Shanahan said, "I think there is always something in the back of your mind that tells you, 'Are you going to be fine on your first hit?' I am sure that went through his mind during the game, and I am really proud of the way he made it through." Shanahan said he thought Wilson was back "to his normal self" this week . . . The Elias Sports Bureau, which is the league's official statistician, has taken away a sack from the Broncos. After reviewing Williams' sack of Philip Rivers in the third quarter that went for a 4-yard loss, Elias instead ruled it a rushing attempt by Rivers.
