Ex-Broncos coordinator off to good start with Colts defense
Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, the Indianapolis Colts rank second in the NFL in points allowed. That shouldn’t shock those who follow the Denver Broncos.
In Coyer’s four years as Denver’s defensive coordinator, the team finished ninth, 10th, tied for third and tied for eighth in scoring defense. He was fired after the 2006 season, a move that didn’t look good for coach Mike Shanahan after the team finished 28th and 30th in scoring defense the next two seasons. Shanahan was then fired.
“He was able to come in and blend a little more aggressive style than what we’ve been accustomed to,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said of Coyer. “He’s a sound teacher.”
Harris on injured reserve
The Broncos placed right tackle Ryan Harris on injured reserve, ending his season. Former Kansas City Chiefs tackle Herb Taylor was signed to take Harris' place. Coach Josh McDaniels said Harris couldn’t play without surgery on his right big toe and couldn’t recover quickly enough from surgery for the team to hold open a roster spot.
“The length of time that he would need to recover from that, it wouldn’t make any sense for us to not make this move at this time on our roster,” McDaniels said.
Grind it out
The Colts don’t allow many big plays so the Broncos realize they likely will have to work downfield in small chunks to score Sunday.
“We just know that we’ve got to go on 10-, 12-play drives,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “To sit here and think we are going to have three-, four-play drives and hit big plays on them is kind of well wishing.”
