Defense, boys.
Defense.
Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are coming to town Saturday for arguably the most meaningful game on the preseason schedule.
Based on past performances when it has mattered most, the Broncos’ defense might want to work on its combination six-defensive back, eight-man front packages, given the way Manning has been known to treat the Broncos’ defense as if nobody was there.
“I know people are going to make this game a big deal,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “But you’re not going to get so carried away that you show people what you’re going to do during the regular season. It’s a fine line. You want to play well and stay injury-free. At the same time, it doesn’t mean anything as far as the regular season.
“In my experience, preseason only means something to people if you lose. It doesn’t mean anything if you win.”
Shanahan then smiled at the irony. Preseason, indeed.
There are two ways for Broncos fans to look at Saturday’s game at Invesco Field at Mile High. Regular-season games weren’t an accurate barometer the past two years, so how can a preseason game matter? In the next-to-last game of the 2003 season, the Broncos thumped the Colts 31-17 in Indianapolis, only to get humiliated 41-10 two weeks later in a first-round playoff game.
Then, in a stark case of déjà vu all over again, the Broncos whipped a bunch of division-clinching Colts second- stringers 33-14 in the final game of the 2004 regular season, only to have Manning lead a 49-24 whipping a week later, again in the playoffs’ first round.
So the other way to look at this game is considering how Manning utterly embarrassed them when it counted – in those two playoff games he completed 49-of-59 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns – the Broncos need to regain some pride.
“This is still preseason,” Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. “We just want to have a good showing for the Broncos, and show where we stand and where we are.”
Safety insurance acquired
Although John Lynch likely will return today from a bout of back spasms, he was out just long enough this week to remind the Broncos how thin they were getting at safety.
The Broncos moved to strengthen their depth at safety Tuesday when they signed Marques Anderson, who started 10 games for the rival Oakland Raiders last season. In a 31-3 loss to the Broncos last season, Anderson had his only interception of the season.
Anderson, who was arrested for public intoxication, along with Raiders teammate Charles Woodson, last December, was waived Monday by Raiders coach Norv Turner. Turner said the fourth-year safety from UCLA was not strong on deep coverage. Anderson replaces cornerback Brandon Browner, who suffered a broken hand in Denver’s 26-21 preseason win Saturday against San Francisco.
Browner was cut Tuesday with the expectation he will clear waivers and be placed on the Broncos’ injured reserve list, where he will join backup safety Chris Young, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first preseason game at Houston.
Footnotes
The Broncos will have a moment of silence before the national anthem and their preseason game against the Colts, in tribute to Thomas Herrion, the 49ers player who died after Saturday’s game at Invesco Field. …
Running back Quentin Griffin will get his first preseason test Saturday. No. 1 tailback Mike Anderson will rotate with Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne through the first 2 1/2 quarters, with Griffin likely to enter midway through the third. …
Cornerback Champ Bailey could miss another preseason game because of his strained hamstring. Bailey sat out the team workout again Tuesday, although he did run through 20 minutes of individual tests. Bailey has yet to play in the preseason. … Rookie cornerback Darrent Williams returned to practice after sitting out Monday to rest a banged-up knee.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
