Chicago's Hester is perhaps the best returner in the NFL. But the
Broncos are improving on special teams, and Sauerbrun said they're ready
for the challenge.
Aside from perhaps giving the Bears good field position by kicking
away from Hester out of bounds or kicking it short, Sauerbrun said he
didn't think it would set a good tone.
"It doesn't look good, it really doesn't," Sauerbrun said. "Yeah,
and I know it doesn't look good if he brings it back for 80 yards, but we
want to make plays. We're here to make plays and help the team win,
not help the team not lose."
Sauerbrun admitted Hester is probably the best returner he has ever
seen, but hoped the Broncos would show confidence in him and their
coverage units.
"We're not worried at all," Sauerbrun said. "We respect the hell out
of him, don't get us wrong. Absolutely. But we're not going to go out
there tiptoeing around."
Sauerbrun said that special teams coach Scott O'Brien, who he worked
with in Carolina as well, usually doesn't kick away from anyone.
"We're not going to do it," Sauerbrun said. "That's not Scott's M.O.
and that's not my M.O."
Sauerbrun, who also handles kickoffs, is averaging 48.5 yards per
punt.
PLAYER NOTES
--FB Kyle Johnson, who was Denver's normal starter at fullback from
2004-06, was re-signed by the team. Denver has many injuries at
tailback and fullback, including to fullback Paul Smith, and Johnson knows the
offense so he can step right in and contribute.
--RB Travis Henry was out of practice again Thursday with a knee
injury. Henry hasn't bounced back quickly from the knee injury and could
miss his third straight game.
--RB Selvin Young didn't practice Thursday. He has a knee injury.
The Broncos hope he can play, but he would probably have to practice
Friday to have a realistic shot to handle a full workload.
--OL Isaac Snell was released to make room for Kyle Johnson. Snell
provided depth, and hadn't played in a game for the Broncos.
--FB Mike Bell could move back to tailback to provide depth against
Chicago. Bell was a tailback last year, but was moved to fullback late
in the preseason and has been there since. Cecil Sapp could also move
from fullback to tailback and see carries.