 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers - 08/20/01
Game Summary - Packers Win 22-7
 |
| WR Bill Schroeder hauls in a 37-yard catch to jump start the Packers against the Broncos. |
Tonight's performance by quarterback Doug Pederson might soon make Packers fans forget that former back-up and preseason standout Matt Hasselback was traded to the Seahawks in april.
Coming in to start the second half, Pederson connected on his first five passes including a 19-yard touchdown toss to Donald Driver. That proved to be the clinching score as the Packers defeated the visiting Denver Broncos 22-7 on Monday Night Football. The veteran quarterback finished the game completing 8 of 12 passes for 112 yards and the game's lone touchdown.
The win evens Green Bay's record at 1-1 this preseason and Denver falls to the same mark. In his post-game press conference, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman noted he was pleased with Pederson's performance that earned the signal caller a 124.3 passer rating.
"I thought Doug did well: no turnovers, made some throws that he had to make and got out of pressure when he had to get out of pressure," Sherman said. "He had a nice play to Donald Driver for a touchdown--moved his feet, put the ball over a rusher on an option route over the middle and I thought that was a big-time play."
Although his team has dominated Green Bay of late, Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan was disappointed with his team's performance tonight.
"Statistically, this was about as poor an offensive effort as you could get," said Shanahan. "We had two turnovers and six penalties--that was too much. It was pretty embarrassing. I'm glad we held them to only three points until the half. But after that it was a fiasco."
For the Packers, Driver was named the Bishop Charities Game Most Valuable Offensive Player. His touchdown ended a string of six quarters to begin the preseason in which the Packers failed to cross the goal line. On the drive following his scoring catch, the third-year player made a leaping grab along the near sideline for 32 yards, sparking a drive that ended in a Ryan Longwell 39-yard field goal.
"Everyday we sit out there on the practice field and try to make plays and that's what we came out in the second half to try and do," Driver said. "That's what receivers try to do everyday--make plays."
Driver finished the leading the packers with 3 receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown. Bill Schroeder added 2 catches for 46 yards, including a 37-yard grab on the club's first possession.
Longwell was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals accounting for more than 50 percent of the team's scoring output. He connected on kicks of 30, 31, 39, 49, and 29 yards.
"You want to make everything that you try and I thought we were in a pretty good rhythm," Longwell said after the game. "It worked good with Doug holding and Rob snaps great, and I'm satisfied--I think we're making progress."
The Green Bay defense set the tempo early as cornerback Mike McKenzie intercepted a Brian Griese pass on the game's opening drive. That led to a Ryan Longwell field goal and the game's first three points.
"anytime you're out there and you get opportunities to make plays, that's definitely what you want to do--help out on defense," McKenzie said. "You want to get off the field; you don't want to be out there long."
The Green Bay defense caused another turnover on the next Denver drive as McKenzie knocked the ball loose from Broncos' receiver Rod Smith and K.D. Williams recovered near midfield.
Green Bay couldn't covert the turnover into points and Denver pieced together a 15-play drive covering 80 yards in 7:41 that ended in a 1-yard touchdown reception by fullback Patrick Hape. That would be the Broncos' only score on the night giving them a momentary 7-3 lead.
Griese finished the night 8-for-10 with 79 yards and the one touchdown. His counterpart, Brett Favre, played just the first half going 10 of 17 for 98 yards. Green Bay's Billy Joe Tolliver played most of the fourth quarter completing 2 of 4 passes for 8 yards.
For the Packers on defense, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was named MVP. He tallied two sacks and recovered a fumble in the game after stripping the ball out of quarterback Gus Ferotte's hand. The quickness of the second-year lineman troubled Broncos' tackle Cooper Carlisle as he was twice called for holding.
"I used my speed around the corner, just getting to the quarterback," Gbaja-Biamila said. "Maybe he didn't anticipate the speed, but I have no idea. They always hold me--I think every play they hold me. It has a lot to do with beating him around the corner right out of his stance. I have to watch film, but I think I clearly beat him around the corner so the natural tendency for an offensive lineman is to hold."
With starting running backs Ahman Green (groin) and Dorsey Levens (hand) both scratches for tonight's game, De'Mond Parker, Rondell Mealey and Herbert Goodman were given the opportunity to evenly compete for that third running back spot. Parker led the team in rushing with 26 yards on 7 carries. Goodman finished with 25 yards on 7 carries while Mealey gained 23 yards on 8 carries. No running back finished the game as a true leader in the race for the third running back position.
Mike anderson led the Broncos with 56 yards on 14 attempts playing in both the first and second halves. Olandis Gary carried the ball only 4 times for 16 yards.
The Packers suffered an early scare as receiver Antonio Freeman suffered a concussion on a hit by Denver's Eric Brown. The safety was flagged for unnecessary roughness, but Freeman sat out for the remainder of the game.
"I thought I had timed it just right," Brown said. "I tried to get him at the shoulders. I had my arms up. It was a tough call. We are taught to hit away. He was getting ready to catch the ball and I made the hit. The ref said nothing. I was surprised to see the flag. I will be unhappy if I am fined."
Game Highlights (Real audio)
Packers-Broncos archived complete game broadcast (Real audio)
Post-Game / Locker Room audio Clips
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman (Realaudio)
Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell (Realaudio)
WR Donald Driver (Realaudio)
DT Jim Flanigan (Realaudio)
DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Realaudio)
K Ryan Longwell (Realaudio)
RB Rondell Mealey (Realaudio)
QB Doug Pederson (Realaudio)
WR Bill Schroeder (Realaudio)
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
GBP: R.Longwell 30yd Field Goal is good.
2nd Quarter
DNB: B.Griese 1yd pass to P.Hape for Touchdown. (J.Elam Extra Point is good)
3rd Quarter
GBP: R.Longwell 31yd Field Goal is good.
GBP: D.Pederson 19yd pass to D.Driver for Touchdown. (R.Longwell Extra Point is good)
GBP: R.Longwell 39yd Field Goal is good.
GBP: R.Longwell 49yd Field Goal is good.
4th Quarter
GBP: R.Longwell 29yd Field Goal is good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
