The Broncos love to blitz. Donovan McNabb loves to be blitzed.
Sunday, something has to give.
“He’s not afraid, that’s for sure,” Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said of the Philadelphia quarterback whom Coyer has had to scheme against since McNabb was at Syracuse and Coyer was at Pittsburgh. “He wants you to blitz him. … So you can’t do it too much against him.”
McNabb has completed 53-of-88 passes while being blitzed. His 53 completions are the second most in the NFL behind New England’s Tom Brady. The Broncos pressured Brady effectively in their 28-20 win Oct. 16. However, Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver knows McNabb will be awaiting the blitz.
“Pressure doesn’t bother me,” McNabb said this week.
“He invites the blitz,” Denver defensive tackle Gerard Warren said. “He’s so smart and he can read the defense so well. … It’s going to be fun playing against him.”
A team unified
The Broncos are expected to continue a tradition that started in Week 3 for the rest of the season. Each week, the team will send out either the entire offensive or defensive units for introductions instead of having individuals introduced.
The team came out as one unit for the Monday night game against Kansas City. Since then, the teams came out as an offense or as a defense.
“I really like it,” said linebacker Al Wilson, a defensive captain. “It shows that we’re a team around here, not a bunch of individuals.”
Counterfeit tickets
The Broncos put out a release Thursday to remind fans to purchase game tickets only through authorized Ticketmaster outlets and the Broncos’ ticket office, located at Invesco Field.
The release stated the team and the NFL’s security department are aware of counterfeit operations in Denver, including tickets to upcoming home games. Tickets bought from unauthorized outlets could be counterfeit or stolen and will not be honored for admission.
Getting a look
An Internet site reported Thursday that Broncos director of pro personnel Rick Smith is one of four candidates for the Minnesota Vikings’ personnel head position. The position probably won’t be filled until after the season.
Smith’s name could pop up often for future jobs. He was a candidate in San Francisco in January.
Footnotes
Defensive backs Lenny Walls (groin) and Sam Brandon (shoulder) were held out of practice. Walls is questionable to face the Eagles, and Brandon is listed as doubtful. …
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen traveled Thursday to attend today’s funeral of longtime Giants owner Wellington Mara. Mara died Tuesday at age 89. …
Receiver Rod Smith has 64 touchdowns as a Bronco, one behind Terrell Davis’ team record. …
Broncos linebacker Keith Burns made his comedy debut this week, doing a short stand-up act at a local club. …
Eagles cornerback Dexter Wynn was inactive last weekend. He was the team’s return man before the Sept. 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
