Jets fans make a boo-boo by booing

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. • When the Denver Broncos had a third player in three plays go down with an injury against the New York Jets, the Jets fans started to boo.

There weren’t many fans remaining — the stadium was about half-empty at the beginning of the second half — but Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall didn’t appreciate their reaction, which continued for every Denver player who needed an injury timeout in the second half.

“Our fans don’t do that and we expect the same, but you can’t control people,” Marshall said.
Marshall said the booing motivated the Broncos.

“If it wasn’t for the fans maybe the outcome would have been different,” Marshall said. “We thank the Jets fans for booing when our guys were down. We took it personal.”

Cornerback Dre Bly, who was the third player in a row to go down in the third quarter, admitted to some gamesmanship. He had a bruised shin, but figured Jets quarterback Brett Favre would run a no-huddle and go right at him if he stayed on the field.

“If I had to I could have gotten up,” Bly said. “Once I saw Brett was trying to hurry up and catch us off balance, I guess I pulled a vet move and stayed on the ground.”

On three consecutive plays, linebacker Spencer Larsen, defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and Bly needed injury timeouts. Larsen and Ekuban returned to the game. Larsen, who took a hard fall on his hip, said he would be fine.

Defensive tackle Josh Shaw suffered the most serious injury. He had a cast on his injured elbow, which he hurt in the first half.
Shanahan said he was concerned when his players started falling.

“When Dre Bly went out, I said ‘Holy cow, what do we have left?’ ” Shanahan said. “But guys stepped up.”

Safety shuffle
The Broncos turned to Vernon Fox to start at free safety, the fourth free safety Denver has used in five weeks. He had a 23-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

“It looks like he played pretty good,” Shanahan said.

The Broncos also used rookie safety Josh Barrett, who was signed off the practice squad before last week’s game, on defense in some situations.

Odd call
Shanahan was as confused as anyone on a couple of replay review situations. On Fox’s fumble recovery, officials said they couldn’t review the play because Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery didn’t have possession when he fell on the ball.

“I thought it was going to be reviewed, so I was not positive what the scenario was,” Shanahan said.

Later, the Jets scored when running back Thomas Jones rolled over defensive tackle Kenny Peterson but officials ruled his elbow never hit the ground.

“I felt pretty good that would be overruled, but obviously I was wrong,” Shanahan said.

Injury update
Receiver Eddie Royal, who was questionable with a toe injury this week, played and had 84 yards on five catches. Cornerback Champ Bailey was also questionable with a groin injury and he was inactive, as were linebackers Nate Webster and D.J. Williams, who have knee injuries.