Broncos get back to work

Denver prepares to welcome Miami, seek a little revenge

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Posted: Tuesday January 05, 1999 10:07 AM

Shanahan said the Broncos are in relatively good health, thanks to their bye week AP

DENVER (AP) -- With a specific playoff opponent finally in their sights, the Denver Broncos returned to the practice field on Monday following a three-day break.

While many Denver players said the identity of their first postseason opponent didn't matter, most were pleased to get another shot at the Miami Dolphins, who defeated the Broncos 31-21 on Dec. 21 behind four touchdown passes from Dan Marino.

It was one of only two losses during the regular season for the AFC West champion Broncos.

"It's nice, because we played so poorly against them on national television," fullback Howard Griffith said. "I don't think the team that showed up that game is any way indicative of the type of team we have. I think everyone is going to relish in the opportunity to go back out and redeem ourselves for what took place that Monday night."

The Denver defense took the brunt of the blame for the loss after Marino threw for 355 yards, but Griffith said there was plenty of blame to spread around.

"As a team, as a whole, we played poorly," he said. "We can't do that, not at this point of the year. But we also know that that part of our season is behind us. Now it's time for a new season. Records don't matter. What happened last time doesn't matter."

The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos held a 50-minute workout in 30-degree weather on Monday in preparation for Saturday's divisional playoff game at Mile High Stadium.

Coach Mike Shanahan was coy when asked to dissect the previous meeting with the Dolphins, particularly when asked to assess why Miami's defense had so much success against a usually prolific Broncos offense. Denver was held to a season-low 219 yards, well off its season average of 381.

"They just played better than we did," he said.

Pressed to elaborate, Shanahan said, "They just played their defense. Really, they're pretty simple in what they do. They just try to out-execute people, and they've been very successful doing it. It's not very complicated, but what they do they do well, very similar to what Dallas did in its hey-day when Jimmy (Miami coach Jimmy Johnson) was there."

As for the inability of the Denver defense to contain Marino, Broncos safety Tyrone Braxton said, "We had guys in great position on all those plays that Marino made on us. We just didn't make the play. We just didn't knock the ball down or pick it. You have to do that when you get the opportunity, particularly against a great quarterback like Marino."

Shanahan said the Broncos are in relatively good health, thanks to their bye week.

Running back Terrell Davis, who captured his first NFL rushing title this season with 2,008 yards, was back in the practice field, apparently experiencing no problems with the tender ribs that hindered him last week.

Strong safety Eric Brown (groin) and defensive end Neil Smith (abdominal muscle) appeared to be improved. It was unclear, however, whether either player would start on Saturday.

"Eric is still not 100 percent but he's improved," Shanahan said. "Neil looks like he's improved and should be ready to go. He'll be close to 100 percent. Other than that, just some nicks and bruises, nothing that will keep anybody out."

 

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