Mediator12
08-13-2005, 12:30 PM
Alright, it is very indirect, but it is there Nyah!
Broncos ready to derail Carr-Johnson combo
By Ryan Thorburn, Camera Sports Writer
August 12, 2005
HOUSTON — The consensus here is that Houston Texans quarterback David Carr and wide receiver Andre Johnson are going to have a huge year. Both talents — Carr was the No. 1 overall pick in 2002, and Johnson was the No. 3 overall pick in 2003 — have endured NFL growing pains and believe they are now experienced enough to lead the expansion franchise to the playoffs in its fourth year of existence.
The Broncos defense has obviously been reading the potentially dynamic duo's press clippings. Seemingly every time Carr has thrown the ball in Johnson's direction this week, a Denver defender has been waiting to knock
it down for an incompletion or make an interception.
During one practice session, D.J. Williams, Darrent Williams, Lenny Walls and Nick Ferguson all created turnovers when Houston's starter looked for his favorite target. "I've been playing Andre since college. I've been covering him for years now and I know him well," said Walls, who played at
Boston College while Johnson was at Miami. "I'd say he's one of the best young guys in this league right now. He's up and coming like myself. He's real big, physical, very fast, talented. But we've got good corners ... we'll be all right."
Normally, Champ Bailey would be matching up with Johnson, as was the case last season when the Pro Bowl cornerback held him to three catches for 28 yards during Denver's 31-13 victory at Invesco Field. But while Bailey, who did not practice on Wednesday and was limited to individual drills on Thursday, has been nursing a sore hamstring this week, Walls and some of
his young teammates have shined.
Darrent Williams has not backed down from anyone, including Johnson, despite giving up about seven inches and 31 pounds to him. The two other cornerbacks the Broncos drafted in April, Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah, have looked comfortable competing against a Texans receiving group that also includes Jabar Gaffney, Corey Bradford and Derick
Armstrong. And Curome Cox has made several interceptions.
"Our rookies, to me, they're like the fastest-learning rookies I've seen since I've been in this league," Walls said. "I'm not surprised at all because those guys are going out there and making plays. We have great receivers ourselves, and they're competing against those guys. so I've got a lot of confidence in them come Sunday."
On Saturday night when the Broncos and Texans open the exhibition season at Reliant Stadium, Darrent Williams hopes everyone will get a chance to see what he can do. So far, the Oklahoma State product has been the most pleasant surprise in training camp, running with the first-string defense in Bailey's absence and handling the kick return duties.
"If you've got speed you can run with these guys," Williams said. "That's what I do, and it makes the quarterback have to put
the ball in a tight spot."
Somebody has to build this kid up before tonight and it just happens to be me!
Broncos ready to derail Carr-Johnson combo
By Ryan Thorburn, Camera Sports Writer
August 12, 2005
HOUSTON — The consensus here is that Houston Texans quarterback David Carr and wide receiver Andre Johnson are going to have a huge year. Both talents — Carr was the No. 1 overall pick in 2002, and Johnson was the No. 3 overall pick in 2003 — have endured NFL growing pains and believe they are now experienced enough to lead the expansion franchise to the playoffs in its fourth year of existence.
The Broncos defense has obviously been reading the potentially dynamic duo's press clippings. Seemingly every time Carr has thrown the ball in Johnson's direction this week, a Denver defender has been waiting to knock
it down for an incompletion or make an interception.
During one practice session, D.J. Williams, Darrent Williams, Lenny Walls and Nick Ferguson all created turnovers when Houston's starter looked for his favorite target. "I've been playing Andre since college. I've been covering him for years now and I know him well," said Walls, who played at
Boston College while Johnson was at Miami. "I'd say he's one of the best young guys in this league right now. He's up and coming like myself. He's real big, physical, very fast, talented. But we've got good corners ... we'll be all right."
Normally, Champ Bailey would be matching up with Johnson, as was the case last season when the Pro Bowl cornerback held him to three catches for 28 yards during Denver's 31-13 victory at Invesco Field. But while Bailey, who did not practice on Wednesday and was limited to individual drills on Thursday, has been nursing a sore hamstring this week, Walls and some of
his young teammates have shined.
Darrent Williams has not backed down from anyone, including Johnson, despite giving up about seven inches and 31 pounds to him. The two other cornerbacks the Broncos drafted in April, Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah, have looked comfortable competing against a Texans receiving group that also includes Jabar Gaffney, Corey Bradford and Derick
Armstrong. And Curome Cox has made several interceptions.
"Our rookies, to me, they're like the fastest-learning rookies I've seen since I've been in this league," Walls said. "I'm not surprised at all because those guys are going out there and making plays. We have great receivers ourselves, and they're competing against those guys. so I've got a lot of confidence in them come Sunday."
On Saturday night when the Broncos and Texans open the exhibition season at Reliant Stadium, Darrent Williams hopes everyone will get a chance to see what he can do. So far, the Oklahoma State product has been the most pleasant surprise in training camp, running with the first-string defense in Bailey's absence and handling the kick return duties.
"If you've got speed you can run with these guys," Williams said. "That's what I do, and it makes the quarterback have to put
the ball in a tight spot."
Somebody has to build this kid up before tonight and it just happens to be me!