dragondawg
09-18-2007, 09:21 PM
It's becoming clear why the Broncos broke the bank for Daniel Graham.
After two games, the former CU and Thomas Jefferson High School star has been a difference maker in the offense. Graham, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract during the offseason as a free agent from New England, has been a devastating blocker and a big reason why Travis Henry is the NFL's leading rusher.
Coach Mike Shanahan praised Graham for the second consecutive week Monday after his performance in the Broncos' 23-20 overtime win over Oakland.
"The unsung hero in this game was Daniel Graham," Shanahan said. "He dominated the line of scrimmage and gave us 60 minutes of unbelievable football."
The game was another sign of Graham having little trouble playing with asthma, which his agent said he was diagnosed with in high school.
"He did a heck of a job considering he does have some asthma," Shanahan said. "For him to play a complete game and to be in motion as much as he was kind of gives you an idea of how important this is to him."
One of Graham's Boulder-based agents, Kevin Robinson, said Graham has long overcome the issue. Graham has been a spokesman for dealing with the affliction, and Robinson said he plans more involvement in the future.
"It has never affected him at all," Robinson said. "Daniel lived with it for a long time, but it has never gotten in his way of being an effective player."
Marshall a blocking hero
Second-year receiver Brandon Marshall has 10 catches in two games. But Shanahan is particularly tickled with Marshall's blocking ability.
"The thing that went unnoticed was how he dominated in the running game," Shanahan said. "Not only is he doing a good job catching the football, but he helps in the run support and that gives you a good chance to have a good running game."
Injury update
Shanahan said cornerback Domonique Foxworth and defensive end Tim Crowder should be able to practice this week. Foxworth missed Sunday's game, and Crowder has missed both regular-season games. It was the first game Foxworth missed since he started playing as a youth.
"It made me nauseous," Foxworth said. "I hated not playing."
The team is hopeful backup safety Hamza Abdullah will be able to practice this week. He left Sunday's game with a hip flexor.
By the numbers
After two games, the Broncos lead the NFL in total offense, passing offense and passing defense.
Henry leads the NFL with four consecutive 100-yard games. Kicker Jason Elam needs eight points to reach 1,700 career points. He has played 222 games. Gary Anderson holds the NFL mark for reaching that plateau the fastest. It took him 248 games.
The 53 gross yards passing that Denver allowed Oakland were the second-fewest in Shanahan's 13 seasons with the team. The 72 gross yards passing Denver allowed Buffalo a week earlier is tied for the fourth-fewest in Shanahan's tenure.
A breakdown of Oakland's 253 yards Sunday: It got 162 on seven plays and 91 on its 49 other plays.
Footnotes
As expected, the Broncos re-signed tight end Stephen Alexander and tackle Chad Mustard was released. It was the third time Mustard was let go by the team since Sept. 1....Shanahan said he was surprised to see Josh McCown playing Sunday instead of backup Daunte Culpepper. McCown had foot and finger injuries last week. ... Shanahan said backup Tony Scheffler continues to make strides after suffering a foot injury.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6922360
After two games, the former CU and Thomas Jefferson High School star has been a difference maker in the offense. Graham, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract during the offseason as a free agent from New England, has been a devastating blocker and a big reason why Travis Henry is the NFL's leading rusher.
Coach Mike Shanahan praised Graham for the second consecutive week Monday after his performance in the Broncos' 23-20 overtime win over Oakland.
"The unsung hero in this game was Daniel Graham," Shanahan said. "He dominated the line of scrimmage and gave us 60 minutes of unbelievable football."
The game was another sign of Graham having little trouble playing with asthma, which his agent said he was diagnosed with in high school.
"He did a heck of a job considering he does have some asthma," Shanahan said. "For him to play a complete game and to be in motion as much as he was kind of gives you an idea of how important this is to him."
One of Graham's Boulder-based agents, Kevin Robinson, said Graham has long overcome the issue. Graham has been a spokesman for dealing with the affliction, and Robinson said he plans more involvement in the future.
"It has never affected him at all," Robinson said. "Daniel lived with it for a long time, but it has never gotten in his way of being an effective player."
Marshall a blocking hero
Second-year receiver Brandon Marshall has 10 catches in two games. But Shanahan is particularly tickled with Marshall's blocking ability.
"The thing that went unnoticed was how he dominated in the running game," Shanahan said. "Not only is he doing a good job catching the football, but he helps in the run support and that gives you a good chance to have a good running game."
Injury update
Shanahan said cornerback Domonique Foxworth and defensive end Tim Crowder should be able to practice this week. Foxworth missed Sunday's game, and Crowder has missed both regular-season games. It was the first game Foxworth missed since he started playing as a youth.
"It made me nauseous," Foxworth said. "I hated not playing."
The team is hopeful backup safety Hamza Abdullah will be able to practice this week. He left Sunday's game with a hip flexor.
By the numbers
After two games, the Broncos lead the NFL in total offense, passing offense and passing defense.
Henry leads the NFL with four consecutive 100-yard games. Kicker Jason Elam needs eight points to reach 1,700 career points. He has played 222 games. Gary Anderson holds the NFL mark for reaching that plateau the fastest. It took him 248 games.
The 53 gross yards passing that Denver allowed Oakland were the second-fewest in Shanahan's 13 seasons with the team. The 72 gross yards passing Denver allowed Buffalo a week earlier is tied for the fourth-fewest in Shanahan's tenure.
A breakdown of Oakland's 253 yards Sunday: It got 162 on seven plays and 91 on its 49 other plays.
Footnotes
As expected, the Broncos re-signed tight end Stephen Alexander and tackle Chad Mustard was released. It was the third time Mustard was let go by the team since Sept. 1....Shanahan said he was surprised to see Josh McCown playing Sunday instead of backup Daunte Culpepper. McCown had foot and finger injuries last week. ... Shanahan said backup Tony Scheffler continues to make strides after suffering a foot injury.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6922360