Broncos Prep Week 14 in Review

Joan Niiesen from The Denver Post reported:

Links to and all photos courtesy of: +The Denver Post

In the week leading up to facing the Titans in Week 13, things were pretty uneventful at Dove Valley. Monday morning for once brought no new major injuries, with the biggest worry for the week by far the frigid temperatures. Coach John Fox also returned to his duties after four weeks away, which slotted Jack Del Rio back into his role of just defensive coordinator.

The Broncos will face the Titans at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. For those of you smart enough to know that standing for hours in single-digit temperatures is perhaps an unwise move, it’ll be broadcast on CBS.

John Fox speaks to the media at Dove Valley on Monday, his first day back on the job. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Monday: Fox returned to Dove Valley Monday morning and resumed his duties as the team’s head coach. Fox addressed the media for about 25 minutes, talking about everything from the stress of being away to what he’s seen in recent games. In more good news for the Broncos, there were no major injuries from Sunday’s game, a rare occurrence after injuries have dominated recent Mondays.

Tuesday: The Broncos had Tuesday off, and it was for the most part a quiet day, which has been unusual of late.

Montee Ball celebrates after making a long run against the Chiefs Sunday. (Aaron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Stories:
• “John Fox returns to work as Denver Broncos’ head coach,”by Joan Niesen, The Denver Post
• “Derek Wolfe released from hospital, returns to Broncos after seizure-like symptoms,”by Mike Klis, The Denver Post
• “Hochman: Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno tears up, and Montee Ball tears it up,” by Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
• “NFL should at long last trade chains for lasers when marking 1st downs,” by Joan Niesen, The Denver Post

Wednesday: The Broncos practiced indoors on Wednesday, their first such practice of 2013. With temperatures in the single-digits and snow falling strong enough to impede visibility, going outdoors simply wasn’t an option. Wednesday also marked Fox’s first practice since his bye-week heart surgery and another day off for Peyton Manning.

Stories:
• “Broncos’ Peyton Manning would have changed Tennessee Titans,” by Mike Klis, The Denver Post
• “Broncos Mailbag: With Peyton Manning, is Denver’s playbook too slim?” by Mike Klis, The Denver Post
• “Peyton Manning ices out critics of cold-weather play,” by Lindsay Jones, USA Today
• “2013: The Year of the Injury?” by Jenny Vrentas, The MMQB
• “The NFL’s Three-Quarters-Season Awards Winners,” by Bill Barnwell, Grantland

Peyton Manning drops back to throw during practice Thursday, wearing his glove.(John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Thursday: The Broncos practiced outside Thursday after being relegated to the indoors Wednesday. In single-digit temperatures, Manning did not actually disintigrate into a cloud of dust, shocking all the cold-weather naysayers. He practiced in full, as did Joel Dreessen, who also missed Wednesday. Only Derek Wolfe and Trindon Holliday missed practice, and only Demaryius Thomas was limited.

Stories:
• “Kiszla: No hurry, hurry for Peyton Manning’s big call,” by Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post
• “Record books await rewrite by Denver Broncos offense,” by Joan Niesen, The Denver Post

Friday: Friday was a relatively uneventful day at the Broncos’ facility, apart from the coldest temperatures yet of the week. Only Derek Wolfe missed the team’s final practice before it faces Tennessee on Sunday.