Oakland, Calif. – The best play of this Broncos’ season has not been the Jake Plummer slant to Rod Smith or pitch to Tatum Bell or a Champ Bailey interception.
It’s been the rotation.
Everybody knows about the Broncos’ rotating tailbacks. Mike Anderson and Bell had relatively modest games Sunday in a 31-17 defeat of the Oakland Raiders, and for the first time since the second week of the season, the Broncos did not have one or the other rush for at least 98 yards.
But they did combine for 109 yards rushing against the Raiders, and each remains on pace for a 1,000-yard season – Anderson for 1,189 yards and Bell for 1,077 yards.
The tailback position, however, is not the only position subject to the rotation system. At right tackle, Cornell Green rotated with George Foster for a second consecutive game.
On defense, the Broncos rotate at least seven linemen into their four-man set. At the halfway point in the season, the Broncos ranked last in sacks with eight, but they had four Sunday against Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins.
“The dam was bound to break,” said Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce, who got his second sack in two games Sunday. “You can’t just keep hitting quarterbacks, throw away the ball, throw away the ball. At some point, somebody has to keep the ball in their hand and take a sack. God bless Kerry Collins.”
There has also been a rotation in rookie stars. It was Domonique Foxworth’s turn last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, making a game-saving interception in the end zone. Sunday, Darrent Williams returned a punt 52 yards to set up the Broncos’ first touchdown and he delivered their final touchdown by returning an interception 80 yards.
“In our last game against the Eagles, we averaged like 0.7 yards a (punt) return,” said Williams, who combined with Charlie Adams for 4 yards on six returns in the Philadelphia game. “That’s terrible. I was disappointed. In the beginning of the season, our goal was to finish first in the AFC. We got down near the bottom, but that punt return today was big.”
Smith, Elam set marks
Smith is the Broncos’ all-time touchdown leader. His 27-yard catch for the game’s first score on the first play of the second quarter was his 66th career touchdown, one more than running back Terrell Davis. Smith wouldn’t comment after the game.
Following Smith’s touchdown, Jason Elam kicked the extra point for the 1,500th point of his career. Elam holds the NFL record for fastest to 1,300 points (170 games), to 1,400 points (184 games) and now 1,500 points (197 games).
“I’ve been a part of some great teams and some great offenses that really moved the ball well and allowed me to score some points,” Elam said. “So that’s a tribute to them, not just me.”
Shut up, yourself!
All game, Broncos center Tom Nalen and Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp went at each other grunt-to-grunt, helmet-to-helmet, pads-to-pads with nary a word said between the two. Then, when they were walking through the same tunnel that leads to the locker rooms after the game, Nalen and Sapp exchanged words so heated, they had to be separated.
Nalen, who won’t allow himself to be interviewed during the season, followed his policy and would not comment.
Bailey feeling fine
Last Monday, Bailey said he’d be curious to see how he felt after the Oakland game. He said if he didn’t feel improvement in his left hamstring injury, he probably wouldn’t all season.
Sunday, as he was putting on his suit, Bailey loved the way he felt.
“I feel as good as I have felt in a long time,” said Bailey, who suffered the injury Sept. 26 against Kansas City. “I still feel it a little, but nothing like before. I’m really coming along.”
Denver safety Sam Brandon also made progress from a shoulder injury he suffered against New England on Oct. 16.
“I tested it and it felt pretty good,” Brandon said. “It was a good game to get back in and play.
See ya, Randy
Randy Moss made a habit of being the first player off the field after a loss in Minnesota and caused a firestorm after the finale last season when he trotted off the field at Washington before the final gun. Apparently, he hasn’t learned in his first season with the Raiders.
Moss walked off the field Sunday with 30 seconds remaining and was the first player to the tunnel.
During the game, because of groin, ribs and pelvis injuries, Moss was fairly quiet. He ended up with decent numbers, making six catches for 87 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown reception.
In his first matchup against Moss, Bailey was impressed. He said he didn’t understand all the talk about him taking plays off.
“I didn’t see it,” Bailey said. “He was blocking me on a lot of plays.”
The block master
Denver defensive tackle Gerard Warren tipped a 45-yard field-goal attempt by Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski in the second quarter. Warren said it was his fourth blocked or tipped field goal in his career.
“I love it,” Warren said. “It’s great in the trenches. You have to fight and see if you can make a difference. I love getting my hand on the ball.”
It also was satisfying to affect Janikowski, who Warren has played against since their high school days in Florida. Warren attend college at Florida and Janikowski went to Florida State.
“I call him the Polish Powder Keg,” Warren said of the kicker.
Payback
Foxworth is nothing but polite. You do him a favor and he’ll return it.
In the first quarter, Bailey intercepted a pass. After being tackled, he threw the ball high into the air. Seeing the ball, Foxworth made a break for it and caught it. He returned it to the sideline for Bailey. Last month, Bailey retrieved Foxworth’s first NFL interception in Jacksonville.
“He did it for me so I had to do it for him,” Foxworth said. “I never forget anything.”
Walls update
Cornerback Lenny Walls’ injured groin will be re-evaluated today. He’ll likely need another week or so before being declared healthy enough to return to the field, at which time he’ll be released.
Walls was put on injured reserve Nov. 1, but the Broncos must release him within a six-week window. Walls injured his groin Oct. 23 against the Giants. There will be several teams interested in claiming him when he’s waived.
Footnotes
Moss’ fourth-quarter touchdown was the Raiders’ first against the Broncos in Oakland in 11 quarters, dating to 2002. … Since going to the Super Bowl in 2002, the Raiders are 12-29. … Denver cornerback Roc Alexander was Denver’s primary kickoff returner Sunday and had two returns for 49 yards. … Denver didn’t report any significant injuries. Offensive tackle Matt Lepsis left for a short time in the first quarter but returned. … The victory improved Mike Shanahan’s record to 16-5 vs. the Raiders. Dan Reeves during his decade-plus in Denver was 10-13 against the Silver and Black.
Staff writer Jim Armstrong contributed to this report.
