The flattering testimonials for Stephen Alexander were nice.
The implication the veteran tight end was finished with the Broncos, however, was premature.
“It was only temporary,” Alexander said Sunday. “I’ll be back (today).”
The Broncos had only six healthy offensive linemen as of Saturday morning and coach Mike Shanahan wanted one more reserve for the game Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. A bruised calf was going to sideline Alexander another week. Unable to use him as a backup at tight end or as an emergency backup tackle, Alexander was released and tackle/tight end Chad Mustard was re-signed.
“I told Mike, ‘Go ahead and release me, I can take it,”‘ Alexander said. “I wasn’t going to be able to play, anyway. I should be good for next week (against Jacksonville), though.”
Committee helps carry Broncos
Mike Bell’s first carry of the season came with about three minutes remaining in the first half. He picked up the 1 yard needed for a first down. Converted from tailback to fullback during the final week of preseason, Bell finished with 7 yards on four carries.
“A little different from that fullback spot, but I can’t complain as long as I’m getting the ball,” Bell said. “I appreciate the coaches giving me the ball.”
The Broncos’ other fullback, Cecil Sapp, barreled in for a 4-yard touchdown. And one of the Broncos’ most significant runs was the 40-yard dash off a draw play by backup tailback Selvin Young in the second quarter.
The Raiders had just kicked a field goal to close to within 7-3 and the Broncos were facing third-and-9 from their 21 when they called for Young’s third carry of the season.
Young slipped after getting the handoff but had enough speed and blocking to burst through a hole. The run set up Sapp’s touchdown and a 14-3 lead.
“The linemen did a heck of a job handling their guys for so long,” Young said. “And then I had to make a decision which hole I wanted to run through. All I did was run.”
Last shall be first
In the Broncos’ most recent draft, defensive end Jarvis Moss was selected in the first round and defensive end Tim Crowder was taken in the second. So which rookie defensive lineman has made the biggest impact thus far? Marcus Thomas, a defensive tackle taken in the fourth round.
The 315-pound Thomas’ agility was apparent when he turned around and went after a pass deflected forward by safety John Lynch’s shoulder pads. A moving Thomas made a diving interception on the first play of the second quarter.
“The coaches drill us on getting off the stack and retrace,” Thomas said. “They said you make a whole bunch of plays if you retrace them.”
Henry hurts ankle, but finishes game
Travis Henry carried the ball 13 times in the fourth quarter and in overtime despite hurting his ankle in the third quarter. In OT, Henry had six carries for 21 yards, including runs of 13 and 7 yards.
“My ankle was hurting, but I had to finish it off,” Henry said. “I had to.”
Henry said the injury is not serious and he expects to play Sunday against Jacksonville.
Mustard on the side
Chad Mustard is preparing for Broncos games from home. Saturday, for the second straight week, Mustard was signed a day before the game to be the seventh healthy offensive lineman. He was cut on Tuesday. Mustard was originally cut Sept. 1 as the team trimmed down to the 53-man roster.
The past two weeks, Mustard has worked out on his own while preparing for the opponent by doing research on the opponent via the Internet. He said he heard rumors late in each of the past two weeks that he could be signed.
“I don’t get the game plan but the team thinks I’m smart enough to prepare on my own,” Mustard said.
Slow start for Raiders
LaMont Jordan rushed for 19 yards on Oakland’s first offensive play of the game, but the Raiders gained just 66 yards on their ensuing 27 plays of the first half.
McCown surprise starter
Quarterback Josh McCown was listed as doubtful with a foot injury before the game, and many thought Daunte Culpepper would make his debut with the Raiders. But McCown played the entire game.
“We warmed him up out there, he felt great and that was the only way we were going to let him go, if he was 100 percent,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said.
Footnotes
Broncos backup safety Hamza Abdullah suffered a hip flexor in the second quarter and will be evaluated this week. … Middle linebacker D.J. Williams had his second straight solid game as he registered eight tackles. … The Broncos had four sacks, with defensive end Elvis Dumervil coming up with two. … As he did last week, coach Mike Shanahan gave the team today off.
