SoCalBronco
10-31-2006, 12:38 AM
broncos notes
Tackle Veal extends deal through 2008
By Bill Williamson and Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writers
Article Last Updated:10/30/2006 11:35:51 PM MST
The Broncos locked up one of their key, young defensive players by extending the contract of defensive tackle Demetrin Veal.
Veal, who has taken over for injured defensive tackle Gerard Warren the past two weeks, is committed to the Broncos through 2008 after signing the two-year extension. Veal was scheduled to be a restricted free agent in the offseason and an unrestricted free agent in 2008. Had not Veal extended his contract, teams could have signed him this spring, but the Broncos could have matched other offers.
Both sides decided to get the deal done now.
"It's a good deal for both sides," said Veal's agent, Al Irby. "Demetrin loves it there and loves being a part of things there."
Irby declined to disclose the terms of the contract. Veal, 25, was signed off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad in December 2004. He became a key reserve last season, and is Denver's third defensive tackle. Veal started against Indianapolis on Sunday and spelled Warren after he was injured in Cleveland last week.
QB controversy
Once again, the Broncos are going into a game in which one of the most intriguing subplots is a quarterback controversy. Only this time, the discussion is not whether Broncos rookie Jay Cutler should replace Jake Plummer. That debate was reduced to a whisper by Plummer's fine performance Sunday in a 34-31 loss to Indianapolis.
"By the way, Jake is our quarterback this week," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said to a question that wasn't asked during his news conference.
Instead, the controversy is in Pittsburgh, where incumbent Ben Roethlisberger has played poorly whenever he returns from one of his various injuries and veteran Charlie Batch has played extremely well in two meaningful appearances.
Roethlisberger has a 70.7 quarterback rating; Batch's is 136.8.
"Nothing against Ben - he's a Super Bowl quarterback," Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "But you know what? The tape doesn't lie. I'd rather face Ben than Charlie Batch just because how their offense has been doing with Charlie Batch in there."
Anyone who has dropped into a Steelers Web log knows Ekuban isn't the only one.
Second-guessing
After the Broncos' defense surrendered 28 points in the second half to the great Peyton Manning, a natural follow-up question was whether any tactical adjustments could have been made.
Part of the problem was the Broncos had allowed only six points entering halftime, the usual period for significant alterations. So at a crucial time, the Broncos were lulled into thinking there was nothing to fix.
But after Manning warmed into an unstoppable groove in the second half, hindsight came up with two possible solutions. One was to aid the front four by bringing a fifth, blitzing player into the pass rush.
"The coaches make calls, the players execute," Ekuban said. "We didn't do a good job of executing the plays to the best of our ability. I never blame coaches."
The other was to have the Broncos' defensive backs move up on the receivers instead of starting 5 yards off.
"Nah, we're fine," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "By playing 5 yards off, we take away a lot of routes. People are going to start picking you apart, but you've got to remember, we were playing Peyton Manning."
Footnotes
Blog: All Things Broncos
Post reporters Jim Armstrong, Mike Klis and Bill Williamson post daily entries on this blog devoted to your beloved Broncos. Visit it here.
Shanahan said he wouldn't know whether Warren (sprained big toe) would be ready to play against Pittsburgh until observing practice Wednesday. ... Bailey said his bruised right leg that had him limping late in the game against the Colts had healed significantly overnight.
EYE ON ... The Steelers
DENVER AT PITTSBURGH, 2:15 p.m., Sunday
For the record: After winning the Super Bowl last season, the Steelers have lost five of six and are 2-5, tied with Cleveland for last place in the AFC North.
Last game: The Steelers lost 20-13 at Oakland on Sunday as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions, two that were returned for touchdowns.
Streaking: After going 26-6 the previous two seasons, the Steelers are in danger of joining the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 1998 Broncos as recent Super Bowl champions who suffered losing seasons the following year.
Who's hot: Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward has overcome a slow start by producing 21 catches for 311 yards and four touchdowns in his past three games.
Who's not: How much do the Steelers miss Jerome Bettis? Against the Raiders, running back Willie Parker had 11 carries of 1 yard or less. Roethlisberger has only six TD passes, against a league-high 11 interceptions.
Key stat: The Steelers' stumble at Oakland was only the second game since the NFL relaxed its holding rules in 1978 that a team lost despite giving up fewer than 100 yards in total offense. The Raiders had only 98 yards. The other time it happened was in 2002, when the Steelers lost 24-6 to the Houston Texans.
FYI: Steelers outside linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans started at defensive end for Colorado State. Porter returned to the lineup against Oakland after missing the previous two games because of a hamstring injury. Haggans and Porter each had two sacks Sunday and lead the Steelers with five and four sacks, respectively.
Injury report: Third-down back Verron Hayes and linebacker Arnold Harrison suffered season-ending knee injuries against the Raiders. Center Jeff Hartings also suffered a knee injury and is likely out against the Broncos. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring) missed the Oakland game.
Line: Steelers by 2 1/2 points.
Playerspeak: "I can't tell you why he threw certain balls. You'll have to ask Ben that." - Ward, on Roethlisberger's four interceptions against Oakland
- Mike Klis
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4577614
Tackle Veal extends deal through 2008
By Bill Williamson and Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writers
Article Last Updated:10/30/2006 11:35:51 PM MST
The Broncos locked up one of their key, young defensive players by extending the contract of defensive tackle Demetrin Veal.
Veal, who has taken over for injured defensive tackle Gerard Warren the past two weeks, is committed to the Broncos through 2008 after signing the two-year extension. Veal was scheduled to be a restricted free agent in the offseason and an unrestricted free agent in 2008. Had not Veal extended his contract, teams could have signed him this spring, but the Broncos could have matched other offers.
Both sides decided to get the deal done now.
"It's a good deal for both sides," said Veal's agent, Al Irby. "Demetrin loves it there and loves being a part of things there."
Irby declined to disclose the terms of the contract. Veal, 25, was signed off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad in December 2004. He became a key reserve last season, and is Denver's third defensive tackle. Veal started against Indianapolis on Sunday and spelled Warren after he was injured in Cleveland last week.
QB controversy
Once again, the Broncos are going into a game in which one of the most intriguing subplots is a quarterback controversy. Only this time, the discussion is not whether Broncos rookie Jay Cutler should replace Jake Plummer. That debate was reduced to a whisper by Plummer's fine performance Sunday in a 34-31 loss to Indianapolis.
"By the way, Jake is our quarterback this week," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said to a question that wasn't asked during his news conference.
Instead, the controversy is in Pittsburgh, where incumbent Ben Roethlisberger has played poorly whenever he returns from one of his various injuries and veteran Charlie Batch has played extremely well in two meaningful appearances.
Roethlisberger has a 70.7 quarterback rating; Batch's is 136.8.
"Nothing against Ben - he's a Super Bowl quarterback," Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "But you know what? The tape doesn't lie. I'd rather face Ben than Charlie Batch just because how their offense has been doing with Charlie Batch in there."
Anyone who has dropped into a Steelers Web log knows Ekuban isn't the only one.
Second-guessing
After the Broncos' defense surrendered 28 points in the second half to the great Peyton Manning, a natural follow-up question was whether any tactical adjustments could have been made.
Part of the problem was the Broncos had allowed only six points entering halftime, the usual period for significant alterations. So at a crucial time, the Broncos were lulled into thinking there was nothing to fix.
But after Manning warmed into an unstoppable groove in the second half, hindsight came up with two possible solutions. One was to aid the front four by bringing a fifth, blitzing player into the pass rush.
"The coaches make calls, the players execute," Ekuban said. "We didn't do a good job of executing the plays to the best of our ability. I never blame coaches."
The other was to have the Broncos' defensive backs move up on the receivers instead of starting 5 yards off.
"Nah, we're fine," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "By playing 5 yards off, we take away a lot of routes. People are going to start picking you apart, but you've got to remember, we were playing Peyton Manning."
Footnotes
Blog: All Things Broncos
Post reporters Jim Armstrong, Mike Klis and Bill Williamson post daily entries on this blog devoted to your beloved Broncos. Visit it here.
Shanahan said he wouldn't know whether Warren (sprained big toe) would be ready to play against Pittsburgh until observing practice Wednesday. ... Bailey said his bruised right leg that had him limping late in the game against the Colts had healed significantly overnight.
EYE ON ... The Steelers
DENVER AT PITTSBURGH, 2:15 p.m., Sunday
For the record: After winning the Super Bowl last season, the Steelers have lost five of six and are 2-5, tied with Cleveland for last place in the AFC North.
Last game: The Steelers lost 20-13 at Oakland on Sunday as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions, two that were returned for touchdowns.
Streaking: After going 26-6 the previous two seasons, the Steelers are in danger of joining the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 1998 Broncos as recent Super Bowl champions who suffered losing seasons the following year.
Who's hot: Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward has overcome a slow start by producing 21 catches for 311 yards and four touchdowns in his past three games.
Who's not: How much do the Steelers miss Jerome Bettis? Against the Raiders, running back Willie Parker had 11 carries of 1 yard or less. Roethlisberger has only six TD passes, against a league-high 11 interceptions.
Key stat: The Steelers' stumble at Oakland was only the second game since the NFL relaxed its holding rules in 1978 that a team lost despite giving up fewer than 100 yards in total offense. The Raiders had only 98 yards. The other time it happened was in 2002, when the Steelers lost 24-6 to the Houston Texans.
FYI: Steelers outside linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans started at defensive end for Colorado State. Porter returned to the lineup against Oakland after missing the previous two games because of a hamstring injury. Haggans and Porter each had two sacks Sunday and lead the Steelers with five and four sacks, respectively.
Injury report: Third-down back Verron Hayes and linebacker Arnold Harrison suffered season-ending knee injuries against the Raiders. Center Jeff Hartings also suffered a knee injury and is likely out against the Broncos. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (hamstring) missed the Oakland game.
Line: Steelers by 2 1/2 points.
Playerspeak: "I can't tell you why he threw certain balls. You'll have to ask Ben that." - Ward, on Roethlisberger's four interceptions against Oakland
- Mike Klis
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4577614