Talk about perfect timing. With the temperature at 5 degrees (feels like minus-6!) and a layer of snow covering the ground, the Broncos christened their Wednesday, days before they’ll take on the Rams at Edward Jones Dome.
“Hats off to Mr. Bowlen and the Broncos organization,” coach John Fox said of the new facility. “It was tremendous. … It’s a great facility. They went the full distance on this.”
If only he and his fellow coaches felt the same way about what was on the brand-new turf field.
After shaking up their offensive line again last weekend in Oakland and then passing on signing the troubled but talented Monday, the Broncos’ problems remain. Or so they say.
Their perceived problems with the O-line pale in comparison to the issues facing their next opponent and many of their previous nine; the Broncos have an offense that ranks No. 5 in yards per game (314.1) and has allowed a league-low nine sacks and 24 quarterback hits this season.
But for a team who sees success only in the form of a Lombardi Trophy, the concerns are real.
“We’re always looking for avenues to improve the team,” Fox said, adding that Monday’s workout with Incognito was “productive.”
“I don’t know that there’s a problem. … It’s a highly competitive business and you’re looking to improve, whether it’s depth that makes you better — and that’s not just one position.”
After moving Orlando Franklin to left guard to start the season, the Broncos shuffled the deck again last weekend, moving Manny Ramirez to right guard, Louis Vasquez to right tackle and Will Montgomery to center. The moves paid off, but they apparently didn’t do enough to satisfy the Broncos.
Their running game ranks 26th in rushing yards per game (96.8), and with starter with a foot injury and C.J. Anderson coming off in Oakland, the question has been raised as to who will start in St. Louis, where Montee Ball is expected to make his return from a groin injury.
“He was out there practicing a week ago and he made good progress,” Fox said of Ball. “He practiced today and it went well, and we’ll see what tomorrow holds.”
Defensively, the Broncos were thrown a bit of a curveball by Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who, after claiming Monday that Austin Davis would remain his starter, reversed course Wednesday and appointed veteran Shaun Hill his starting QB.
Hill has played only snap since going down with an injury in the first game of the season, against Minnesota, but his eight-plus seasons of experience may — or so Fisher hopes — give the Rams more stability on offense.
“Yeah we heard that early this morning,” Fox said of Hill. “He’s a guy we’ll do a little more research on, we’ve got a couple coaches who have been with him.”
Will he force Denver to change its game plan?
“We have plenty of tape on him from the preseason, and their offense doesn’t change,” Fox said. “(Davis and Hill) are a little similar in style.”
Footnotes: Tight Virgil Green (calf) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Offensive tackles Ryan Clady (groin) and Paul Cornick (shoulder) were limited, as was guard Orlando Franklin (knee).
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or at twitter.com/nickijhabvala
