If the Broncos have proven anything in the first quarter of the season it is that they can handle tough competition.
Of the 14 NFL teams with winning records, the 3-1 Broncos are the only team in the league whose opponents’ combined record is better than .500. Broncos opponents’ composite record is 14-5. St. Louis, New England and Baltimore are all 4-1. Kansas City is 2-2.
The next best composite record for a winning team is 12-13 for Minnesota (3-2). Denver’s AFC West rival San Diego (3-1) has played the softest schedule of teams with winning records. The Chargers’ opponents are 5-12.
The Broncos hope their tough competition will help them as the season progresses.
“When the playoffs start, they’re all good teams,” cornerback Domonique Foxworth said. “So our experience against tough teams will be valuable.”
Added tight end Stephen Alexander: “They say to be the best you have to beat the best, so it’s nice that we have started that mind-set early.”
Schweigert’s criticism
Oakland safety Stuart Schweigert told Bay Area reporters this week that Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer is inconsistent.
“Jake Plummer is a guy that can make some things happen. He can run, he can throw it, but, along with that he can make some mistakes,” said Schweigert, a third-year player. “He can make some big plays on the run, but he can also throw some balls out there that you don’t understand who he’s throwing it to. We have to capitalize on those mistakes. If he throws a ball in your direction and you have a chance to intercept it, we have to come down with it.”
Schweigert suggested things are evening out after Plummer had the best season of his career in 2005.
“Maybe it’s kind of catching up with him a little bit, his luck kind of maybe ran out from last season,” Schweigert said. “We got to capitalize on his mistakes. He is going to take some chances. We got to make him pay for it.”
Don’t start that car
It was a close call when the Broncos phoned Kenny Peterson’s agent, Joel Segal, and informed him Wednesday morning they wanted to sign Peterson. Segal immediately called Peterson to tell him of the plans.
“I was just getting in my car headed from Columbus to Cleveland to go work out for the Browns,” said Peterson, who can play defensive end or tackle. “But then the Broncos wanted to give me a job, so I didn’t have to make that trip. But I was almost gone.”
Peterson, cut by Green Bay in August, was signed Wednesday morning and he has practiced the past two days. While he is eligible to play Sunday, it may take him a few weeks to adjust to Denver’s system. The presence of secondary coach Bob Slowik could help. Slowik was the Packers’ defensive coordinator in 2004.
The spot came open when defensive end Courtney Brown was placed on injured reserve. Brown, whose career may be in jeopardy, will undergo his second mircofracture knee surgery today.
Injury update
Safety John Lynch continued to show no signs of the pinched nerve he suffered Monday night against Baltimore. Lynch has practiced all week and is expected to play Sunday. Injured backup tailback Cedric Cobbs has been running and may be ready to play Oct. 22 against Cleveland. Cobbs suffered an ankle injury Sept. 17 against Kansas City.
Rookie receiver Domenik Hixon is eligible to return to practice next week. The fourth-round pick has been out with a broken foot. The Broncos will have three weeks to either put Hixon on the active roster or on injured reserve. Practice squad defensive tackle Amon Gordon is expected to return to practice in the next week or two after spending the past three weeks out with a knee injury.
Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
