aks, McClain said.Kennard is a phenomenal kid, McClain said

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Aside from Von Miller, Denvers once-deep linebacker corps has been reduced to four guys playing their first NFL season and an undrafted third-year pro whos started just five games.Steven Johnson, who at 26 qualifies as the greybeard among greenhorns, swears he isnt concerned.I dont think theres any drop-off, because I look at all these guys over here, and theyve got that hunger in their eye, just like I got, Johnson said. Because all of us at the beginning of the year werent starters, but now were out there starting and the team is counting on us. Were kind of relishing that opportunity.I guarantee you on Monday youre going to see some linebackers flying around, just like, What in the world? You know what I mean? Thats just the attitude were taking. Were ready to go.The Broncos (11-3) can clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win at Cincinnati (9-4-1) Monday night. Theyll try to do that without three front-line linebackers: Danny Trevathan, Nate Irving and Brandon Marshall.Losing Marshall until the playoffs with a sprained right foot and the two others to season-ending knee injuries puts the onus on the front, especially in the run game to make sure were doing our job plus a little bit more, nose tackle Terrance Knighton said.Rookie Todd Davis, whom Denver claimed off waivers from New Orleans last month, is expected to lead the way, along with Johnson as the Broncos try to stuff Bengals running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard.Also prepping for increased roles are rookies Corey Nelson and Lamin Barrow and second-year pro Lerentee McCray, who spent his rookie year on IR.Our coaches put together a good plan where Todds not going to be out there on his own, Knighton said. Hes not going to have to make every play. You have two veteran safeties (in Rahim Moore and T.J. Ward) back there behind him and you have two veteran guys in front of him with me and Derek Wolfe.So, our linebackers will be well-protected — but theyre not going to be in a position where they dictate the game. Our defence as a whole dictates the game.The Broncos sport the NFLs fourth-rated defence and theyre second only to Detroit at stopping the run. But theyll be without their top tackler in Marshall and last years leading tackler in Trevathan, both of whom were hurt last week.Marshall said hes confident the young linebackers will hold up until he gets back.I believe in all those guys, he said.Johnson went a step further, saying, A lot of people think were a little depleted at linebacker but I dont think so at all. So were going to go out there and its not going to be any drop-off. Were going to go out there and fight like we usually do.Asked just how realistic of an expectation that was with all the injuries, defensive co-ordinator Jack Del Rio had this to say Friday: I take whoever we have up and available and coach them up to be at their best and we expect them to play at a high standard. Thats the way we approached it last year, when we fought through (injuries to) a bunch of different guys. And we never make excuses.Marshall would be the biggest beneficiary of a first-round bye.Ive never had a foot sprain, a mid-foot sprain. So, I dont think it will just come back 100 per cent. But I think with the taping and the orthotic, itll definitely help, Marshall said.Notes: Knighton was named the recipient of the eighth annual Darrent Williams Good Guy Award as selected by Denver media for his accountability. Im just happy to win something for once. Obviously, theres been a lot of talk about me talking about me winning other things, said Knighton, who proclaimed last weekend that the Broncos would beat the Patriots in the playoffs even if they have to go on the road to do it. ... The Broncos said Peyton Manning (thigh) was limited at practice again Friday. He was moving around well during the 20-minute media access period. I havent seen any cause for concern, WR Emmanuel Sanders said. He had a really good day of practice today.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Chris Davis Jersey . And he said Sunday that players believe nobody in Sterlings family should be able to own the Los Angeles Clippers if hes gone. Frank Robinson Jersey . Ryan Getzlaf certainly got them started in the second. Getzlaf scored the first two goals in the second, and Teemu Selanne scored the go-ahead goal late in the period as the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 Thursday night. http://www.theoriolesteamshop.com/Customized/. - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Mark Trumbo Jersey . So much so that even a simple foul pop up to the first baseman turned into a run. Houstons four-run rally in the ninth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Monday night was capped by a bizarre play that started as Crowe fouled out to first baseman Justin Smoak with runners on second and third. Brooks Robinson Jersey .Kessy tried to show what he can do playing left wing for the Oilers in 5-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday in pre-season action.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Rookie linebacker Devon Kennard impressed the New York Giants in training camp with his speed, athleticism and ability to hit.The only things that held back the fifth-round draft pick from Southern California was that instinctiveness that comes from playing and a hamstring injury that happened in the season opener.It took almost a month for Kennard to get over the injury. The playing smarts took a little longer, and Kennard now is showing what he can do now that he understands the game.Earlier this week, Kennard became the Giants first rookie defensive player to win the NFC player of the week award after posting two sacks for the second straight week and forcing a fumble in the Giants 36-7 win over Tennessee.I came in with the mindset that I wanted to help my team, Kennard said Thursday after the Giants (4-9) finished practice for Sundays game against the Washington Redskins (3-10) at Metlife Stadium. I wanted to show the coaches and teammates that I could help them win games the best way I can, and any way I can.With recent injuries to linebackers Jacquian Williams and Mark Herzlich, Kennards playing time has increased and he has been outstanding, getting to opposing quarterbacks on the blitz.We knew he was a big, strong, powerful man, defensive co-ordinator Perry Fewell said Thursday. I think he is displaying that in his play.Fewell said Kennard also is a smarter player. He always had a good grasp of what was going on in the meeting rooms, but there was a slight hesitation on the field.A lot of times when they are out there on the field and it happens fast, as a ball coach, you can seee them thinking, Fewell said.dddddddddddd He is starting to use his athleticism and executing those moves that we have talked about in the classroom. That is why I say he has become a smarter player.Fewell said the Giants had wanted to use Kennard more in blitzing situations but the opportunities didnt always present themselves.The chances have been there the past two weeks, and a sack and forced fumble by Kennard led to a touchdown return by defensive tackle Markus Kuhn.Fellow linebacker Jameel McClain said Kennard is sponge-like in the meeting room. The 23-year-old is not overly talkative but tends to ask the right questions when he speaks, McClain said.Kennard is a phenomenal kid, McClain said. Kennard is focusing on his game and he focuses on details. For him to be so young and be such a professional, it is amazing.NOTES: Giants special teams co-ordinator Tom Quinn apologized for his run-in with punter Steve Weatherford during Sundays game. The coach grabbed Weatherford after the player walked past him following a bad punt. It was an unfortunate incident that transpired obviously, that we both wish we could have back, Quinn said. We are fiery, were competitive, and it escalated way too far. ... Odell Beckham Jr.s jersey from his one-handed TD catch is in the Hall of Fame. What an honour for it to be in there, Beckham said. Definitely something to be proud of, but it is just the beginning for me. ... QB Eli Manning (back) was again limited at practice Thursday, but coach Tom Coughlin said he did everything he needed to do. ...McClain (knee) returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday. ' ' '