Justin Edmonds - Getty Images
4 months ago: DENVER, CO - JANUARY 08: Eric Decker #87 of the Denver Broncos catches a pass against Ryan Mundy #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 8, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos fans can breath a sigh of relief regarding the severity of wide receiver Eric Decker's knee injury. According to head coach John Fox, Decker suffered a knee sprain and is day-to-day.
Whether or not Decker can heal up quickly enough to play on Saturday night against the New England Patriots remains to be seen, but it bodes well for the Broncos should the team advance to the AFC Championship and beyond. Based on how it looked when it happened, I was concerned about the start of the 2012 season for Decker as well.
The Broncos played with just three healthy wide receivers - Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and Matthew Willis - after Decker left the game.
0 recs | 65 comments
Good news
When I first saw the play I clearly thought he would be out for the playoffs and possible next year as well.
dcrespo7 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Thank you Tebow!
ConradA - January 9, 2012
Agreed
I thought the same thing. He took a brutal hit and I couldn’t help but think about Eddie Mac’s leg injury (not comparable I know) when that happened. What a relief! By the way, I said it was better to lose to NE in week 15 and I am feeling awfully confident this week that this Broncos team can and WILL beat NE! Go Broncos!!
aj fischer - January 9, 2012
That was my first thought too
trumanj - January 9, 2012
very good news!!
I say OFF with Harrisons head!! Dude needs to be drawn and quartered.
CenCalBronco - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I think Harrison is certainly a jerk but I've watched that hit a few times
now and can’t really find fault with it. The DBs are getting nailed left and right for hitting high, they really have no choice but to go lower. Glad Deckers going to be alright though, it was scary when it happened.
rubincarterrocks - January 9, 2012
Concussion or blown out knee?
Which is worse?
This simply is the effect of the new rules and fines.
I’m really glad Decker is gonna be ok long-term.
uziguzi - January 9, 2012
I agree
but still think we need to get rid of Harrison and 90% of the other steelers…
trumanj - January 9, 2012
Harrison can play the ball and hit on the hip.
It was techincally a “clean” play, but Harrison had time to deliberate on where to hit, and he went for the knee trying to end another career. He’s a criminal at heart, and if karma exists, he’s f’ed.
margabelle - January 9, 2012
dont make excuses for dirty players
i dont mind harrison, but no matter who you are, going directly at someones knees is just as dirty as going for their head. the new NFL rules keep you from hitting someone’s head, so lower is the only option. but it seems to me that Harrison skipped anatomy class in college because he forgot about quite a few places on the human body he can hit between the head and the knee. period.
Lt. Philip Nolan - January 9, 2012
you and Bena disagree
but I agree with you
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Same here.
Harrison is dirty, and I worry every time the Broncos play Pittsburgh.
BroncosBassist - January 10, 2012
I’d love to see someone do Wallace’s knee like that and see how Harrison and the Steelers react. Me thinks they cry foul.
McGeorge - January 9, 2012
can't agree more
that hit was a career ending type hit on his knee.
hits like that to the knees or head are extremely extremely assnine
Broncs55 - January 9, 2012
See, the thing is
on the average wide receiver (and I didn’t look this up, but I feel confident in stating that Eric Decker is appreciably above average in size), the space between his head and his knee is roughly the size of the Grand Canyon compared to a dinner plate. You have to be (un)lucky or trying really hard to hit someone that precisely in either extremity when there’s so much more to hit and grab onto.
BroncosBassist - January 10, 2012
they would McGeorge
absolutely, it was really frustrating to see this
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
I disagree.
This was a legal, but still dirty hit. He didn’t have to go as low as he did. Decker was vulnerable and a hit to the torso would have put him down easily. This was a hit meant to knock him out of the game.
the_prodigal_fan - January 9, 2012
Joe Paterno did everything legally too, just saying...
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
It's idiotic
to mention J P in the context of this thread!
cohiker - January 9, 2012
but assuredly you get the parallel
someone may fulfill legal responsibilities but still be a turd
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
why not stay on topic?
and no, I see no reason to mention Paterno in this thread – and now you directly imply Paterno is a turd. That’s very judgemental; and in my opinion wrong, besides being irrelevant to this thread.
cohiker - January 10, 2012
AFC Championship!?!?
I know it’s possible, but I can’t let my mind go anywhere near that right now. The fact that the Broncos won yesterday is still blowing my socks off (long socks). Crazy, crazy, crazy good stuff.
Breathe deep. Enjoy right now.
broncomack - January 9, 2012
Yes, we're in good shape!
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Well
he’s tougher than I thought, but Harrison is still a scumbag. Go ahead, Frank Wyth, come on in and reprove me for my bad comments and feelings
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Dude...that is just crazy
You said “AFC Championship” in relation to our team. LMAO HOW GREAT IS THIS SEASON!?
sadaraine - January 9, 2012
I think Denver has a realistic chance to beat the Patriots.
After you win that game, its the damn Ravens I worry about. As much as I dislike them, they would seem to be the class of the AFC this year.
steeler fever - January 9, 2012
Yeah, especially given the fact we have never won in Baltimore
Ravens have owned the Broncos for the last half of the decade
Calikula - January 9, 2012
If that game comes about.....
Somehow, someway the Broncos find a way to win. Surely everyone outside of Baltimore will be pulling for Denver.
steeler fever - January 9, 2012
I'm sure you're right.
Certain teams are especially unpopular outside their fanbase and it’s funny to see the fans of other teams come around and wish us luck and to congratulate us when we pull one out. I’m thinking there are a significant number of not-New England fans that will be around this week and (hopefully) Saturday night to do the same.
BroncosBassist - January 10, 2012
Would they promote somebody from the practice squad if he can’t play? Or would they go with 3 recelvers? Nonetheless, great news to hear he’ll be ok! I really like our chances this weekend, even if it is the Patriots. We’ve already proven anything can happen. GO BRONCOS!
jbbroncosfan27 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Practice Squad Receivers ?
Just a thought on filling in for Decker .You wont want to bring one off of the practice squad since Decker is day to day and not going on injured reserve . Who would you wave to make room on the roster ? I don’t know if this idea makes any sense but why not try Julius Thomas at wide receiver till Decker can come back . Thomas was doing very well in training camp catching the ball till he had his ankle injury I suspect why we have not seen him as a Tight End is because of his blocking ability . However he might just be a good stop gap while Eric Decker is out . I am glad to see I"m not alone in thinking that was a classless hit by Harrison the dirtiest linebacker in the league .
ultraclassic04 - January 9, 2012
wr nets Tebow $250k?
Remember when Tebow lined up at wr? Just read that Tebow got an incentive bonus of $250k by the Broncos winning a playoff game. He played just over the 70% needed to qualify. Wonder if those plays lining up at wr counted? If so, goes to show that doing anything you can for the team can payoff, literally!
bronco.fan - January 9, 2012 via mobile
We really should have beaten NE the first time
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
This is great...but notice as soon as Decker was out, is when we started throwing the ball really well. Coincidence?
BroncoRick69 - January 9, 2012
considering Decker has been one of Tebow's top targets all year....
no. not a coincedence at all.
Lt. Philip Nolan - January 9, 2012
No.
Matt In Canada - January 9, 2012
That is crazy, but great news. Oh to be young, flexible and athletic. Great news for Eric’s career. That hit was BS. I hate James Harrison. He is so dirty.
McGeorge - January 9, 2012
come on McGeorge
show some class /s/ Steelers fans who hung out here last week, I agree with you, Harrison is a scumbag!
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Does Goodwin or Orton
move up to the 53 man squad just in case? If so does Sylvester get the ax AGAIN? Or maybe Mays. opps I did not mean to type that outloud. haha
kimbertr - January 9, 2012
Mays gives it a good effort
but he is overmatched in far too many instances
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
you are right
he runs to the wrong hole with all his effort. hahaa
I was only kidding about Mays. After yesterday, I hope they do something else besides him. No way he gets back to cover a TE.
kimbertr - January 9, 2012
glad nothings torn. Knee should come back stronger the second time
ShyandObese - January 9, 2012
Very happy to hear Decker is going to be okay. After that hit I was hoping that the mascot Thunder was going to go crazy and trample Harrison into the ground. That would have been poetic justice.
AvalancheRescueDog - January 9, 2012
Not having Decker might be a big issue.
If someone came to you and said… we’re going to cover Calvin Johnson… or Brandon Marshall 1 on 1 with no safety help… wouldn’t you consider them nuts? Well I think the Steelers were nuts for doing it yesterday and I doubt New England is that bold. So if they double DT.. we are going to need Royal… Willis… and ? to step up. I wish ? = Decker…. but that’s not looking like an option.
Triz06 - January 9, 2012
Mostly true
Except the Pats will be double covering DT with a pack of chewing gum (half chewed) and a pencil eraser. If Tebow is confident, he can still find Thomas for some good gains.
BroncosBassist - January 10, 2012
Time to unleash all our TE's
and all our RB’s. Let’s see what we’ve got.
NE is vulnerable against the run and against the pass. We can score on them. But we have got to eat clock time to keep their offensive threat off the field. And that means we are going to have be unpredictable with our playcalling so that their defense doesn’t know what to expect – and methodical with getting first downs
yibberat - January 9, 2012
Dave Krieger
thinks Reggie McKenzie is going to fire Hue Jackson, the Dysfunctional Faiders!
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
TE's
yes. always thought they needed to get the tight ends involved more.
broncosfan1129 - January 9, 2012
THIS
my friend! I love that rollout to Daniel Fells, the 40-yarder and the 17-yarder were both freaking epic!
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Wow, he's lucky!
That looked like a Grade IV MCL sprain to me.
ElwayFanJ - January 9, 2012
someone up above is watching out over him
a being who does not approve of Harrison’s tactics
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
My wife made two comments before the game:
first she said, Daniel Fells is going to get the ball this game
and second, the Steelers are going to make mistakes without Pouncey.
I hope she keeps up her prognostications and they keep coming true!
JALefor - January 9, 2012
well
your wife is a genius because she realizes the importance of throwing to the tight end when possible!
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
Happy that Deck is day to day
I’m sure all of us were and maybe still are reaching for our pitchforks and lanterns and a google map to Harrison’s house.
JALefor - January 9, 2012
the time will come
when he has no friends left, he was a complete a-hole during the lockout with the comments he made about Goodell. Oddly enough, if you look at the CBA Goodell has given the league a decade of peace and the NFL is healthier than it has ever been. Well, anyway, beyond that, he does nothing to assuage people’ s concerns about his dirty propensities.
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
NAH
He will probably go onto a career in the WWF or MMA. Can’t you just see Harrison as the enforcer to a new Four Horsemen?
steeler fever - January 9, 2012
actually I can
Dana White lusts after him I"m sure
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
I am glad Eric Decker only has a sprain of his knee.
It sure looked a lot worse at the time. I wonder if James Harrison wasn’t trying to send a message to Roger Goodell with the “legal” hit on Decker.
Harrison has been one of the most dominating OLB’s in recent memory. But no matter his dominance he is becoming a liability for 3 reasons.
1. He is held almost at will with no calls from the officials, perhaps because they don’t like him or as the conspiracy theorist beleive, they have been direct by Goodell. There seems to be a personal battle between the two of them.
2. He is getting older and has a big contract. You have to release or trade that type of person because of the salary cap that is in place.
3. The league has changed, the same type of play that earned him DPOY award in 2008 is now negatively affected the teams chances of winning. He has already been suspended once and I imagine the next time he has an infraction it will be a multiple game suspension.
I have always been a fan of James Harrison but I am hoping Worild or someone steps up and can be his replacement in the near future without a dropoff in play at the position.
steeler fever - January 9, 2012
you guys have always been adept
at jettisoning aging talent for fresher prospects, just like the Iggles, the Patriots have besmirched themselves as cheaters so they’re different than you two Pennsylvania teams
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
we have and it has helped us stay on top for a long time now.
I personally thought during the last off season that we wouldn’t keep Harrison and a few of the older guys this year that had big contracts. I kinda feel that the FO felt this was a transitional year and kept the older guys around while developing the younger players. With the injuries we have had this year the younger guys have gotten a lot of playing time.
I expect a clearance sale on the Farriors, Wards and Harison of the Steelers. We may have a slight dropoff next year but hopefully we will be much healthier entering the playoffs, if we make the playoffs. At least we will have a better draft position than we usually have. Got to have some good news from our loss to the Broncos : )
steeler fever - January 9, 2012
I expect them to all be Cards
Nick Eason, Clark Haggans AND Joey Porter are all there, not to mention Whisenhunt and Grimm
the new Bradfather - January 9, 2012
I wonder if we could sucker em into taking Bryant Mcfadden back?
steeler fever - January 10, 2012
My guess is that they activate Juiles Thomas this week
I think they may try to give New England a little of their own medicene and feature some pass catching TE options over the middle. But glad to hear Decker is OK, I am wondering about Brian Dawkins though, is his neck injury forced him out forever, or can he maybe play this Saturday, that would be huge for use, especially matching NE TE’s.
Broncoman - January 9, 2012
Dawkins?
does anyone know if he is gonna be able to play this week?
Sean5 - January 9, 2012
Im sure its still pretty doubtful
His hands and fingers were still tingling through last week
Calikula - January 9, 2012
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