Roche On Toucher & Rich From Denver: Protect Brady
BOSTON (CBS) – With the Broncos coming to town for a playoff matchup with the Patriots, WBZ-TV's Dan Roche is out in Denver to see what's going on on their side of things.
Roche joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich on Thursday morning, and said Denver is Mile High right now.
"I noticed the energy at the practice; everyone was sky high and pumped and I think that's how everyone's been that way since Tebow did what he did on Sunday night," said Roche. "There is a definite energy in the city and you can feel, because everyone was shocked with what happened Sunday, even Broncos fans."
Is there a chance the Broncos might be a little too caught up in last week's overtime win against the Steelers?
"I think that's a possible plot to follow; that they may have accomplished what they didn't think they could accomplish against the Steelers, now going on the road to new England, can they get back up to that energy level playing a team like the Patriots?" asked Rochie. "The emotional outpouring from not only from the players, but the city to everyone involved, it feels like it's been one big party all week long. The players are saying they're ready to move on, but (Wednesday) Demaryius Thomas couldn't get the smile off his face talking about the overtime touchdown catch."
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"It just seems like it's lingering longer and longer with a quick turnaround on Saturday. I think that might be one thing to watch; can the Broncos get up to that level emotionally again?"
While many feel that Tim Tebow is overrated, what about the Broncos defense? They have a very good pass-rush with Elvis Dumerville and Von Miller, and Champ Bailey was at one point the best corner in the game, but is the Denver D a little overrated?
"In some ways; I think in one way it isn't is in the pass-rush," said Roche. "If Von Miller and (Elvis) Dumervil can do what they do well, it presents a problem for Tom Brady. We saw it here (in Week 15), Dumervil put on one of the hardest hit you'll ever see a quarterback will take in that game here in Denver. That's the one fear you have if you're the Patriots, because you can't let those guys get to Tom Brady. We all know if Brady gets the happy feet and everything else, you have problems."
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"Beyond that, I do not think they're a very good defense. I think they're very vulnerable. They're very vulnerable over the middle, and Brady is such a master at picking players to go to. He has a healthy Deion Branch. He has so many options this time around. I think they're in pretty good shape as long as they protect Brady."
Tune in to the Patriots-Broncos playoff game Saturday night at 8pm on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. Pregame coverage begins Saturday at 5pm with Patriots Preview on 98.5, with a special edition of Patriots GameDay on WBZ-TV at 7pm. After the game, stay tuned for Patriots Postgame on The Hub, and Patriots 5th Quarter on WBZ-TV.
