A Jeff Fisher-coached team is not dirty.
As a longtime co-chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, Fisher makes sure his players operate within the rules of play.
But even by football’s gladiator standards, Fisher’s teams play rough. The Broncos might beat Fisher’s Rams, as most people expect Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, but chances are the Broncos will fly back that evening nursing their share of bumps and bruises.
“He’s a tough coach,” said Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. “I wouldn’t say they’re dirty, but if I was a coach, I would teach my O-linemen to make sure you get the last shove, and I would teach my D-linemen to make sure you get the last shove.
“I think that’s why his players like him. That’s why players gravitate toward him, because he’s a tough coach who has that old-school, kick-butt mentality.
“(Broncos defensive coordinator) Jack Del Rio is the same way. He wants us to be rugged and get dirty in the trenches, but he wants us to go within the rules of the game. And if they do give you a cheap shot, just take the guy’s number and get him the next time.”
Rams replace kid QB with vet. Last weekend, the Broncos’ defense made Raiders rookie Derek Carr, who had been getting some acclaim for his play, look like a junior varsity quarterback who was playing against the varsity.
This week, it appeared Denver’s defense would face another rookie quarterback in Austin Davis, who had been playing better than expected until he began to slip the past three weeks.
But the Broncos won’t get their second green quarterback in two weeks, as Fisher has benched Davis and will start 10-year NFL backup Shaun Hill.
“(Hill is) a guy we will do a little more research on,” said Broncos coach John Fox, who learned of the switch Wednesday morning. “We’ve had a couple coaches that have been with him, so we’re very familiar.”
A full Montee. Broncos running back Montee Ball returned from his groin injury to practice for the first time last week, but his participation was limited. Ball was a full participant in practice Wednesday, meaning he’s likely to play Sunday in St. Louis, which is about 25 miles from his hometown of Wentzville, Mo.
“I tell you what, I feel good,” Ball said. “Today went well. I’ll continue to get treatment on it and see how it is.”
Ball is expected to split the running back chores Sunday with C.J. Anderson. With Ronnie Hillman down with a foot injury, undrafted rookies Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs also could dress for the game.
Sacks in bunches. Through their first five games, the Rams had one sack, and their best pass rusher, Robert Quinn, had none. In their past four games, the Rams have recorded 16 sacks, six by Quinn.
“I can’t explain that as far as the first few games, but their front has been active all season long,” Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said. “They’ve got really good players, a lot of first-round draft choices, guys that were great players in college that have made the transition to the NFL. All impact players.
“You’ve got to be able to try to control those guys somehow, and it falls on everybody. It falls on the run game. It falls on receivers getting open on time. It falls on me making quick decisions, because it’s an active bunch.”
Footnotes.With the temperature near zero at Dove Valley on Wednesday and Sunday’s game indoors, the Broncos held their first practice inside their freshly built field house. … Left offensive tackle Ryan Clady (groin) and left guard Orlando Franklin (knee) were limited in practice. Tight end Virgil Green, who missed the past two games with a calf injury, didn’t participate. … Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has been selected for the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. He will be inducted Jan. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.
