The Broncos talked explosion all preseason. Everyone else needed proof. So offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave wasted no time Saturday night at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in the team’s second preseason game, on Denver’s second play from scrimmage against Chicago, dialing up the classic flea-flicker — a Case Keenum handoff to tailback Devontae Booker, a pitch back to quarterback Keenum, and the potential for deep-ball glory behind unsuspecting defensive backs. “It’s definitely not flash, that’s just our offense,” Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles said. “That’s coach Musgrave calling the right plays. He’s a heck of a offensive coordinator that wants to move the ball.” The problem, of course, was the play failed to work. Rookie wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton ran free behind the secondary, but Keenum double-clutched the football and got hit by nose tackle Eddie Goldman just as he released it. The football sailed incomplete … [Read more...] about Denver Broncos’ first-team offense takes step forward against Chicago Bears
Bear
Back in action: Bears RB Jordan Howard happy to get live contact vs. Broncos
The Bears had a plan for running back Jordan Howard against the Broncos, and he was all for it. It was refreshing for the bruising back to get tackled again. “Yeah, it was because it has been a while since I’ve had live contact,” said Howard, who played for the first time this preseason. “But I didn’t mind it. It was just good getting back out there with the guys.” It wasn’t exactly a good night, though, for the Bears’ running game. An aggressive Broncos defense, which is led by pass rusher Von Miller, linebacker Brandon Marshall and defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, proved to be too much on some plays. Howard gained only 32 yards on nine carries. He did have runs of 17, 15 and 12 yards, but his 15-yarder was called back because of a holding penalty on left tackle Charles Leno Jr.On the Bears’ first play from scrimmage, Howard was stopped for no gain by Wolfe, who beat left guard Eric Kush. He was later tackled twice for losses. But an … [Read more...] about Back in action: Bears RB Jordan Howard happy to get live contact vs. Broncos
With Adam Shaheen injured, Bears must lean on tight end depth
DENVER — A linebacker followed running back Taquan Mizzell out of the backfield, so Chase Daniel knew the Broncos were playing man coverage Saturday night. The plan was still to throw the ball to Mizzell — he was the No. 1 option — when he saw tight end Ben Braunecker sprint off the line of scrimmage, to his right. “I saw something flash,” Daniel said. “I saw Ben beat his guy clean off the line and run a great route. He had him beat, and he was easy to throw to when he was that wide open.” Braunecker released past linebacker Keishawn Bierria on a corner route, catching a 12-yard touchdown on the first play after the two-minute warning. It proved to be game-winner in a 24-23 victory that was more Pyrrhic than promising. Tight end Adam Shaheen hurt his right ankle when he rolled it along the right sideline on the first drive of the game. Coach Matt Nagy said after the game he didn’t believe it was broken, and Shaheen used crutches to move … [Read more...] about With Adam Shaheen injured, Bears must lean on tight end depth
Winners and losers from Bears third preseason game
The Bears offense played more than expected Saturday night in Denver -- past the midway point of the second quarter -- which was a brilliant idea considering how disjointed it looked in the second preseason game. QB Mitch Trubisky (9-for-14, 1 TD, 1 interception) and Co. looked much better than they did in their cameo a week earlier, especially the pass catchers. But there is still a lot of work to be done on both sides of the ball, considering the defense allowed 20 points in the first half, and there were a couple injury incidents. Winners TE Trey Burton The Bears spent $32 million on a four-year deal in free agency to make Trey Burton their primary pass-catching tight end, and he showed why Saturday night in Denver. Burton had a fairly quiet training camp, but there's no doubt coach Matt Nagy intends to make him an integral part of the passing game.Burton caught 3 passes for 38 yards on the Bears' game-opening drive, then snagged a seven-yard TD pass from Mitch Trubisky on the … [Read more...] about Winners and losers from Bears third preseason game
Smokey Bear a bit too effective
First off, ditch "the." It's officially "Smokey Bear." The definite article got shoehorned in there in 1952, when his fame was snowballing and a pair of songwriters gave Smokey his own anthem. They jammed "the" into his name for the song's rhythm. Second, he got his job only because Bambi was contractually unavailable. Had Walt Disney been a little more open about hiring out his prancing cartoon deer for government work, Americans likely never would have heard of Smokey Bear or his famous catchphrase: "Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires." But Bambi had merchandise to hawk at the Magic Kingdom, so Smokey became the face of American forestry -- and the longest-running public service campaign in the country's history. This month Smokey is popping champagne bottles in celebration of his 74th birthday. But the milestone comes as the bear's legacy is mired in doubt. Right now 110 wildfires are blazing through western states, charring more than 5.7 million acres. The damage total is rising, … [Read more...] about Smokey Bear a bit too effective