Donald Miralle - Getty Images
6 months ago: SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos kicks the winning field goal against the San Diego Chargers as Britton Colquitt #4 and Lonie Paxton #66 celebrate and Eric Weddle #32 of the Chargers looks on during the Broncos 16-13 overtime win in their NFL Game on November 27, 2011 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
As the team prepared to leave Denver for New England, the Broncos released their final injury report for Saturday's divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots. While Brian Dawkins is a longshot to play - he's not expected to suit up - and Eric Decker is ruled out, one surprise on the list is Broncos long-snapper Lonie Paxton who has missed the entire week of practice due to personal reasons.
Paxton is vital to the Broncos, having a ton of experience long-snapping in some huge games in his career as a member of the New England Patriots. Paxton, of course, helped the Broncos win several games this year, with Denver winning 3 games during the regular season with overtime fieldgoals.
Who will replace Paxton remains to be seen, with the Broncos having also lost backup Chris Kuper to injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. One likely candidate is OL Russ Hochstein, who has done it in the past, but if the game comes down to a key extra point or field goal, well, we've seen in the past how a shaky long-snapper can kill postseason dreams.
0 recs | 41 comments
Bad news about Paxton
He’s a really underrated part of special teams play. Hopefully Hochstein or whoever steps in for him doesn’t muck up snaps. It’s not quite like losing your starting center, but for punts and FGs, which Broncos have generally done very well on this year, it’s still pretty critical.
Decker is no surprise. Need the receivers after DT to step it up since they’ll obviously focus on him more than Pitt did. Need Willis and Royal, and the TEs and even the RBs to get involved and grab some passes short and long.
WEird that Dawkins is listed as doubtful even though he’s not gonna play. Why not just declare him “out”? Time for Bruton and QC to step it up again.
underdog - January 13, 2012
If NE focuses on DT then…
they have to ignore one of the other WR’s or take their chances with the run. Decker out eases their job some but, in view of their last encounter with us, I am sure their are some tense decisions being made in making their game plan. Should be an interesting game.
frankencrank - January 13, 2012
I just hope we have more than one receiver running pass patterns!
There have been too many times where we call pass plays with one and two receivers running routes. That’s not hard to cover!
Compare that to the way they talk about NE. You can’t cover 3 wideouts plus two dangerous TEs. Having 4 options versus 2 changes the entire defensive strategy. We don’t need to keep that many guys in to block, so get them out in the field to make the defense play defense.
Jaybark7 - January 13, 2012
Nice photo. Is that Aspen?
McGeorge - January 13, 2012
What is the deal with Lonie?
Seriously…from what I’ve read he’s not physically injured, but what would possibly keep him out of a playoff game?
sadaraine - January 13, 2012
Read it was " family" related per one of the other Bronco players,
and that the other player totally agreed with Lonnie being gone. No other details I have seen.
idahobronc - January 13, 2012
is his family the NE patriots?
trumanj - January 13, 2012
It is awfully strange
to miss the biggest game of the season against your former team and now not to mention two former head coaches. Just strange.
postpunk27 - January 13, 2012
that's kinda what i thought
He’s played well for us and if it truly is a family issue, I wish him and his family well.
But considering how he came here and who we’re playing I have to scratch my head a bit. But i like conspiracies. :)
trumanj - January 13, 2012
It's curious
but it’s probably some personal matter. I doubt we ever know what it is for sure. Hope everything is alright and he can join the team in Houston next week.
BroncosBassist - January 13, 2012
calling your shot, nice!
the new Bradfather - January 13, 2012
I like the way you think
SFV Bronco Fan - January 13, 2012
Go green :).
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - January 13, 2012
Agreed!
I see it turning out that way, too.
shasta77 - January 13, 2012
I’ll never question a player’s decision to be absent for personal reasons. Sure, it sucks for us to miss our long snapper, especially when the backup LS went down two weeks ago, but these players’ real lives are far, far more important than a game. Even a playoff game. And if he wants privacy in those personal matters, I think he deserves that too.
poorboywilly - January 13, 2012
i guess as long as the family member isn't Bellichick it's OK
But talk about bad timing. Hope it all works out Lonnie.
asinsoin - January 13, 2012
Funny that his only really bad snap I can remember was the one on the PAT vs New England a few weeks ago.
Probably not funny what is going on in his life. Hope it’s not drugs.
McGeorge - January 13, 2012
Yeah...I hope not
Our prayers are with you Lonie!
sadaraine - January 13, 2012
Drug issues are usually pretty public
And I doubt the team would have a problem calling out any player for that kind of thing to make an example of him… I’m guessing that it’s a life or death issue if it’s keeping him out of a playoff game. I really hope it works out ok for him…
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - January 13, 2012
Somebody in the family must of past away or something.
Nobodies saying what’s wrong on the family front but it must be pretty serious…Hochstein will probably carry the load.
bfree2bronc - January 13, 2012
Paxton
I heard that Belichick offered Lonnie his vacation home in the Caribbean, I had no idea he’d accept the invite.
Hey – did any of you Denverites hear our (Boston’s) dump-ass mayor on the radio out that way ?? How incredibly stupid does Mayor Tom Menino sound to you guys ? The Denver mayor and Menino wagered some stupid crap on the football game – your mayor must think Boston is full of dunderheads (could this be ?), electing this idiot, year after year !
profootballfan - January 13, 2012
Pax wouldnt miss a playoff game...unless
It was serious..and obviously private…sending prayers…
Denverkewl - January 13, 2012
Yeah definitely, everything I've heard about him, he wouldn't miss a game like this unless it was really serious
Hope it’s nothing tragic of course. Has to be something serious with a family member. Wishing him the best. More important than football.
underdog - January 13, 2012
Man that sucks about Pax
Funny how under the radar a long snapper goes until he’s not at a game. Then we all remember how critical their job is. Not sure having Dawk out is to bad. As long as the communication is there between the kids, which I think it’s smoothed out now, they should be better in pass coverage with the improved speed.
prototype - January 13, 2012
hope Pax situation will get better soon
prototype - January 13, 2012
I'd Much...
rather cheer for a team (and a player) that has their priorities in the right order than vice versa, even if the latter has more success.
Hope whatever is the issue works out for the best for Lonnie and his family and I’m glad that both he and the Broncos are not placing football above an obviously serious and personal family matter.
MD413 - January 13, 2012
I'm not gna speculate.
I’m just gna wish him my best. Go Broncos!!
CenCalBronco - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Is Mike Leach a FA?
CombatChuk - January 13, 2012
He's a Cardinal. Shame - we never should have got rid of him really.
British Bronco - January 13, 2012
Curse you McD
Calikula - January 13, 2012
Family comes first
Next man up
ElwayFanJ - January 13, 2012
Sounds like it's going to be Walton filling in
prototype - January 13, 2012
Not good
The one thing I was hoping for was – please, no major injuries on either side ! The game will be much better with the full contingency of starters – sounds like the Broncos will not be at full-force. Which sucks for the fans.
The Pats have been playing with their backup center since week 1 (Dan Koppen fractured his ankle in the first Miami game) but, Connolly has adjusted well, moving over from his guard position. Today, the Patriots are as healthy as they’ve been for a while.
profootballfan - January 13, 2012
Getting to Brady...
How much has Von Miller been affected by this injury and how much has that hurt our pass rush?
I forget who it was but one of the articles this week said that our sacks per QB dropback percentage dropped to like 4.5% during the 3 game losing streak. Versus Pittsburgh it jumped back up to closer to where it had been around 10.5-11% (I hope my numbers are right). We are going to need to get pressure on Brady often throughout the game, that creates turnovers and gets their offense off the field. I hope Von is ready to be a part of that!
Jaybark7 - January 13, 2012
Do what you've gotta do Paxton
We’ll miss you for sure. Hope everything works out for you big man.
Poster_Formerly_Known_As_Royal_Fan - January 13, 2012
I do hope Paxton is all right
the Broncos family is with him and we look forward to welcoming him back to the team for the AFC Championship Game!
the new Bradfather - January 13, 2012
It's unfortunate that Paxton is having a problem that prevented him from being here all week and playing on Saturday
Best wishes to Lonnie.
There are FA LS on the street, but we didn’t sign anybody, so we’ll have to get by.
si_ice - January 13, 2012
Twitter reports
we just barely signed veteran long snapper David Binn
the new Bradfather - January 13, 2012
It kinda hurts re Dawkins
Anyone else thinking that this could be his last year? I kinda hope he isn’t inactive for as long as this run lasts. Because he deserves to at least make a game appearance if this is it for him.
yibberat - January 13, 2012
Great season
Regardless it is been an amazing season.
MajorG - January 13, 2012 via Android app
May the best team win
38-17 Pats
PVS53 - January 14, 2012
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