Week Five

Back at home in Mile High, against the Division rival San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are 3-1 so far this season, but after knocking off the 3-0 Green Bay Packers last week, the Broncos are certainly up the task.
The main storyline this week however, has been the injury to veteran CB, and team captain, Champ Bailey, who tore his Tricep in the game against Green Bay. The Team Doctors have said he wouldn't be able to play again this season, and controversially, to the Denver fans, the organization has chosen to place him on Injury Reserve.
With the rest of the Denver secondary relatively young, the defense looks to the 'Wolverine', Brian Dawkins, to continue leading the team to the success they maintained last week in Green Bay. However, without Champ, the CB position is light on strong depth, so Denver has looked to Free Agency, and found 8 year veteran from Duquesne, Leigh Bodden, and signed him to a 2 year contract, for $13.72m.
Unfortunately, the Broncos have had to cut rookie LT Adam Grant, to also sign CB Fabian Washington to a 3 year deal, for $21.84m.
This does completely change the CB Depth Chart, however looking forward over the rest of the season without Champ Bailey, this should certainly help the Denver pass defense. The 5 CBs dressing now are, in order, Leigh Bodden, Andre' Goodman, Fabian Washington, Jonathon Wilhite, and Cassius Vaughn.
With a home game against the Chargers, theres no better time to welcome Leigh Bodden and Fabian Washington to the Broncos organization.

The other talking point for media in Denver this week, was John Elway's extended 1 on 1 training sessions with Tim Tebow. While everyone has taken notice of the dangerous threat Tebow has provided with the deep ball thus far this season, Elway has been training the young QB on his accuracy, which has been a low 35% on the season. If Elway can help Tebow control the clock better, learn to adjust the plays at the line more, and complete passes to keep the chains moving, the Denver offense will be very successful this year.

With all of that in mind, lets take a look at this weeks Matchup preview.

Matchup Preview  |  October 7, 2011
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San Diego Chargers (3-1, 0-1 Away)		Denver Broncos (2-2, 1-1 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 2171 Total Yards 1892 1547 Total Offensive Yards 1268 1175 Passing Yards 878 372 Rushing Yards 390 27.2 Points Per Game 30.0 9 Passing TD 12 4 Rushing TD 0 65 First Downs 41 9 Red Zone Attempts 5 7-2 Red Zone TD-FG 2-3 100.0% Red Zone Percentage 100.0% Defensive Stats Comparison 1220 Total Yards Allowed 1627 749 Passing Yards Allowed 840 471 Rushing Yards Allowed 787 88 Points Allowed 139 10 Sacks 15 1 Fumble Recoveries 2 1 Interceptions 6 7 Red Zone Attempts 14 5-1 Red Zone TD-FG 5-5 85.0% Red Zone Percentage 71.0% Injury Report Travis Laboy (ROLB) Dislocated Elbow (1 week) Nate Irving (MLB) Dislocated Kneecap (2 weeks) Russ Hochstein (RG) Torn Bicep (3 weeks) Champ Bailey (CB) Torn Tricep (I.R.) Syd'Quan Thompson (CB) Complete Achilles Tear (I.R.) Game Notes The Broncos will look to run at the 2nd string ROLB this game, relieved that Travis Laboy is out. However, the Denver defense will have to stop the pass without Champ Bailey. The Broncos will hope their new signees can learn the patterns in a week, and fill up any gaps that may be open with Champ starting. The Chargers have not had much luck taking the ball away this year, only 2 turnovers on the season. Tebow will look to step back to form this week, and help the Broncos secure the win.