Reality TV Show Starring Eric Decker, Jessie James Debuts Sunday Night
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Broncos briefs: reality TV show starring Eric Decker, Jessie James debuts Sunday night By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 28, 2013 Lights, Eric Decker. Camera, Jessie James. Action, Wesley Woodyard. A few hours after the Broncos-Eagles game in Denver is finished Sunday, the E network will debut the reality TV show "Eric & Jessie: Game On." The show features Decker, a Broncos wide receiver, and his wife, a country and pop singer, in the weeks leading up to their wedding in June. "I'm not nervous about it," Decker said Friday in the locker room at Broncos headquarters. "I decided to do it, so why be nervous? I realize it might change as far as going out and doing things. But we still feel like normal people." How the public perceives the couple's show is one thing. What the guys in the locker room think about it is another. There's a pretty good chance Decker will be unmercifully ribbed. "I will say Woodyard is in the first (episode)," Decker said with a smile, referring to one of his best friends on the team and Denver's starting middle linebacker. "So if junk is getting passed around, we're going down together." The show premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. Champ, Duke questionable. Meaning zero disrespect to a 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback, the Broncos have become accustomed to playing without Champ Bailey this season. It is Duke Ihenacho's ankle injury that might cause the Denver defense to make a significant adjustment. Ihenacho didn't participate in the Broncos' two full practices this week, though he was out there on a limited basis Friday. Ihenacho, a first-year starting safety, has brought a Brian Dawkins-like presence to Denver's defense this season. Ihenacho and Bailey will be game-time decisions Sunday. There seemed to be more optimism earlier in the week about Bailey playing against the Eagles. Luckily for the Broncos, they have able replacements for both players. Cornerback Tony Carter has recovered from his ankle injury. And strong safety Mike Adams made 17 starts last season. Elsewhere on the Denver injury report, linebacker Paris Lenon was listed as doubtful to play Sunday because of a strained quad and tight end Joel Dreessen (knee) was upgraded to questionable. Protecting the protector. Adam Gase took the blame for the sack that left tackle Chris Clark gave up late in the third quarter Monday night against Oakland. Gase, the Broncos' fast-starting offensive coordinator and play caller, said he should not have put Clark in position to get beat by Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston, who not only sacked quarterback Peyton Manning but forced a fumble too. "That was a ball holder," Gase said, meaning the play called for Manning to spend an extra second to look into the end zone for a receiver on the first-down snap from Oakland's 13-yard line. "We didn't need it, and that would be one where I'd want to take back because our guys, if we put them in the right positions, they make it work. I feel like on that play (with) that play call, I didn't put them in the right position. That one bothers me and that's one that I'm going to make sure doesn't happen again." Why the Eagles have a chance to beat the Broncos By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 27, 2013 I know what you’re thinking. I thought the Ravens had a chance against the Broncos in the opener. I picked the New York Giants to win at home against the Broncos in week 2. I offered up reasons why the Raiders could give the Broncos a game in week 3. The Broncos won those games by scores of 49-27, 41-23 and 37-21. And there were times late in the second half of all three games when the score wasn’t that close. Mind you, none of those games surprised me. OK, maybe the Giants’ game a little. But I do feel a responsibility to caution the masses, especially when there’s mass hysteria about the hometown team. The NFL is too strange. For some reason, a team can go on the road against a particular opponent and go up 31-3 in the fourth quarter, only to lose at home to that same opponent a month later in the playoffs, 38-35 in double overtime. So contrary to the widespread belief in the Rocky Mountain region that the Broncos will destroy the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, I think the visitors have a chance. Here’s why: *It’s about the matchup, silly. Don’t look at the records. Look at how teams match up. The Eagles are the first opponent since the New England Patriots in week 5 of last season who run the NASCAR-tempo offense. That game also marks the Broncos last regular-season loss. The Broncos’ defense was torched in that game. True, the Broncos’ defense is more accustomed to the hurry-up because their own offense has been playing it since OTAs in May. But Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is huge on substitute packages. Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton have been exceptional against the run. But if they can’t get off the field because of the Eagles’ fast tempo, will they be effective pass rushers? Will they become gassed run stoppers? *Duke Ihenacho may not play. He may play, but he may not because of a right ankle injury. The strong safety has been a difference maker in the Denver defense. He has brought a John Lynch/Brian Dawkins-like element to the defense. The only problem is Ihenacho at 205 pounds is 15 pounds lighter than what Lynch and Dawkins played. Mike Adams is more than a capable strong safety. But against Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and the Eagles’ read-option run attack, Ihenacho’s availability may be crucial. *The Eagles defense is in shape. They may not be any good. But the Broncos were losing to the Ravens at halftime, only to wear them down in the second half. They were only up 10-9 on the Giants at halftime and 17-16 late in the third quarter. The Raiders were gassed in the first series on Monday night. The Eagles’ defense may be abysmal against the pass, ranking 29th in the league which is why no one believes they can keep up with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and the NFL’s No. 1-ranking passing offense. But because they practice against an Eagles’ offense that plays at a far-faster speed than the Broncos do, the Philly defense won’t wear down like Denver’s first three opponents did. *That oblonged, two-pointed ball bounces funny. The biggest difference between the Broncos dominating the Ravens in Baltimore in December and then losing to them in January in Denver? In Baltimore, the Ravens were about to score when Chris Harris intercepted a Joe Flacco pass and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. In Denver, a Manning pass was deflected and Corey Graham returned it for a pick six. A big reason reason why it’s such a thin line between winning and losing, contending and pretending, worst to firs and first to worst in the NFL? Turnovers. They are football’s greatest equalizer. *I’m not saying the Eagles win. I’m saying they have 25 percent chance of winning. Broncos unveil Ring of Fame monuments By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 27, 2013 For the unveiling of the Broncos’ new Ring of Fame Plaza at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, it was a dark and stormy night. “Hey, this is O-line weather,” said Tom Nalen, the man of the moment. The starting center for the Broncos’ two Super Bowl title teams will become the 24th member of the Ring of Fame during his induction ceremony at halftime of the Broncos-Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday. The Ring of Fame is nice, as the names of the former star Broncos are displayed along the upper deck facade of the stadium. The Ring of Fame Plaza brings a classy touch of reverence. As the skies poured Friday evening, the Ring of Famers were introduced by emcee Jim Saccomano and asked to unveil their own monuments that featured their facial likeness from their playing days. “This is my favorite one,” said Ring of Fame monument sculptor Brian Hanlon of Toms River, N.J. as Karl Mecklenburg uncinched the cover of his Attending the ceremony Friday were Floyd Little — who had a way of lighting up the tent on the otherwise dreary night — Craig Morton (“This is unbelievable,” he said,) Rich Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Billy Thompson, Haven Moses, Jim Turner, Dennis Smith, Rod Smith, Louis Wright, John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, Mecklenburg and Nalen. Red Miller, coach of the Broncos’ “Orange Crush” 1977 Super Bowl team, represented “Goose” Gonsoulin. Undrafted linebacker Wesley Woodyard now anchor of Broncos defense By Joan Niesen The Denver Post September 28, 2013 Eighty-eight years ago, New York Yankees dugout. First baseman Wally Pipp sat out his team's baseball game because of a headache. Lou Gehrig replaced him in the lineup and Pipp never regained his starting job. What does this have to do with the Broncos? Everything, according to Wesley Woodyard. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has told his players the tale many a time, Woodyard said with a smile. The linebacker laughs: Wally Pipp and the next man up.