ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning is the only player in this Super Bowl who has won the big game.
He’s also lost one.
So, he knows both the elation of putting his fingerprints on the Lombardi Trophy and the anguish of watching it slip through his grasp, and he admonished his Denver Broncos teammates not to cut corners as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 2.
Receiver Eric Decker says the biggest thing Manning has said is to eliminate distractions.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater stayed home sick again Friday, missing his second straight practice.
Coach John Fox said Prater’s absence was a combination of being too ill to work out and a precaution against getting teammates sick as they prepare for the Super Bowl against Seattle on Feb. 2.
Fox called it “a combination of both, like most sick players. We sent him to the doc, they deal with it, give him medication. He’ll be fine.”
Prater converted 25 of 26 field goals in the regular season, including a record 64-yarder against Tennessee on Dec. 8 in Denver. He’s 5-for-5 in the playoffs.
Overall, he scored 150 points in the regular season and 20 more in the postseason.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the project budget for Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvements at its Friday meeting. The $12.3 million project will replace the stadium’s existing sound system and install a wireless network system to improve connectivity.
“We are very appreciative of Chancellor Harvey Perlman’s support and The Board of Regents’ approval of the Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvement Project,” Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst said. “This most important project will install a new sound system and wireless network inside Memorial Stadium. These improvements are designed to provide the best college football fans in America with the best game-day experience possible. It is important that we continually strive to improve our fan experience in each of our athletic venues and this project is a big step in that direction.”
The existing sound system at Memorial Stadium is more than 20 years old, and while still functional, the normal life expectancy of such systems is 15 years. The project will replace the sound system with a new, single-point source sound system housed in the north end zone. Initial design concepts for the sound system call for multiple speaker arrays and cabinets that will be attached to the top and sides of the HuskerVision screen on the roof of the Osborne Athletic Complex.
The new sound system will allow fans in all parts of the stadium to enjoy the full Nebraska football game-day experience, including HuskerVision features, public address announcements and other audio and video features.
Installation of a wireless network system (WiFi) at Memorial Stadium is the second component of the Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvement Project. The explosive growth of smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices in the past decade has fueled demand for continuous connectivity. In past years, connectivity and cell phone service at Memorial Stadium has been limited.
The new wireless network system will allow fans better access to Internet applications from their smartphones regardless of carrier or location, which should relieve stress to cellular networks for voice calls and text messaging. Nebraska Athletics plans to develop a new, all-encompassing Memorial Stadium game-day smartphone application that will include video features, dynamic location-based services and an engaging mobile platform.
Additionally, this project will replace the existing flag poles atop North Stadium with taller, larger poles that accommodate larger display flags which will be more visible from both inside and outside the Stadium.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in March and conclude before the start of the 2014 season. Funding for this project comes from premium seating contributions. Nebraska opens the 2014 football season against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30at Memorial Stadium.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — After hurrying Denver’s quick-strike, high-octane offense through a record-shattering regular season, Peyton Manning has turned the Broncos into a slow-grinding, clock-eating machine in the playoffs.
Denver’s three most time-consuming drives of the season have all come in the last two weeks, helping to render opposing passers short-tempered sideline spectators.
In dispatching the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots, Manning dinked and dunked his way downfield.
Denver’s downshift, some of it by design, some due to circumstance, has thrown a new wrinkle into an already formidable test that Seattle’s stingy defense will have to prepare for in the Super Bowl.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Super Bowl will again be streamed live online.
Fox said Wednesday that it would offer free access to all users on computers and tablets through its app for the NFL championship on Feb. 2. For other playoff games this season, only subscribers to certain cable companies could watch through Fox Sports Go.
The last two Super Bowls on NBC and CBS were available online through Web browsers. This is the first time the game will be streamed through an app.
On smartphones, the game will be available through Verizon’s NFL Mobile app.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Champ Bailey finally gets a chance to live up to his name.
The 12-time Pro Bowler is headed to his first Super Bowl in his 15th — and most trying — NFL season, one in which he missed 11 games and parts of two others because of a nagging foot injury.
“It hurt not being out there,” Bailey said after Denver topped New England in the AFC championship game, “but here I am. I’m on the field and my team’s still in the running. That’s what it’s all about.”
Bailey’s subdued celebration and measured reaction in delirious Denver stood in stark contrast to the scene in Seattle later Sunday night, where Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman stole the spotlight with his game-saving deflection, his taunting of Michael Crabtree and his television rant on the field afterward.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Peyton Manning’s foundation for at-risk youth will receive a $24,800 donation for all the times he shouted “Omaha!” during the AFC championship game Sunday.
The donations were organized by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce after Manning’s 44 pre-snap “Omaha!” calls during the Denver Broncos win over San Diego received national attention.
Eight Omaha companies combined to donate $800 to Manning’s “Peyback Foundation” for every time he yelled the city’s name during the Broncos’ victory over the New England Patriots.
The participating companies are ConAgra Foods, First National Bank of Omaha, Mutual of Omaha, Omaha Steaks, Cox Communications, CenturyLink, Union Pacific railroad and DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar & Grill.
Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini has filled the opening on his coaching staff with the hiring of Charlton Warren as the Huskers’ secondary coach.
Warren joins the Nebraska staff after nine years on the defensive staff at the Air Force Academy, including the past two seasons as associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Warren was also a standout defensive back for the Falcons in the late 1990s.
“Charlton Warren will be an excellent addition to our coaching staff,” Pelini said. “He is well respected in the coaching profession and he has been a part of several successful defenses at Air Force. Charlton has great energy and will be an outstanding teacher and mentor for our defensive backs. We look forward to him hitting the ground running, both in working with the young men in our program and on the recruiting trail.”
Warren said he is eager to get to work at a program with a rich tradition like Nebraska.
“Joining the Nebraska program is a tremendous opportunity for my family and me, and we are extremely excited to be here,” Warren said. “I want to thank all the great folks at Air Force who have helped me over the past nine seasons especially Coach Troy Calhoun.
“Nebraska football has a rich tradition and history and I can’t wait to have a chance to lead and work with the current group of players on this team. I am also big-time excited to hit the recruiting trail and start closing in and meeting the future players who want to join this program and do tremendous things in Lincoln. I appreciate the opportunity, and the faith Coach Pelini and his staff have shown by adding me to the staff and now it’s time to get to work.”
Warren will inherit a Nebraska secondary that returns a pair of starters in 2014 seniors Corey Cooper at safety and Josh Mitchell at cornerback. Nebraska has a history of ranking among the nation’s top pass defenses and led the Big Ten in passing yards allowed and opponent pass completion percentage during conference games in 2013.
Warren, who turns 37 on Friday, has spent the past nine seasons coaching at Air Force, working directly with the defensive backs all nine years with the Falcons. Warren has also earned a reputation as the Falcons’ top recruiter and coordinated Air Force’s recruiting efforts for six seasons from 2006 to 2011.
Air Force’s secondary was a strong point for the Falcon defense during Warren’s time in Colorado Springs. The Air Force pass defense often ranked among the best in the country, helping the Falcons to six bowl games in Warren’s nine seasons as an assistant coach.
In 2011, the Air Force pass defense ranked third in passing yards allowed per game at 166.8 yards per game and sixth in the country in pass efficiency defense. In 2010, the Falcon secondary was even better, ranking second nationally by allowing just 147.8 passing yards per game. The play of the defensive backfield helped Air Force to a 9-4 record, capped by a victory over Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
The 2009 defense also excelled against the pass under Warren’s direction, helping the team to a trip to the Armed Forces Bowl. Air Force ranked seventh nationally with 20 interceptions, helping the team lead the nation in turnover margin. The 2009 Falcons also ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards allowed (fifth), total defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (17th).
Warren was also a member of the Air Force staff for 2007 and 2008 trips to the Armed Forces Bowl, when the Falcons posted 9-4 and 8-5 records, respectively.
Individually, several Falcon defenders excelled under Warren’s direction. Air Force produced a first-team All-Mountain West defensive back for three straight years from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, Reggie Rembert capped an outstanding career, earning first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association and third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. Rembert was also a two-time first-team all-conference pick and was selected as the NFLPA Service Academy Player of the Year in 2010.
Anthony Wright was a second-team all-conference pick in 2011 and finished his career with 12 interceptions to rank fourth in Air Force history. Chris Thomas also excelled under Warren’s coaching, earning all-conference honors three times and ranking among the school’s all-time leaders in tackles and interceptions. Warren also coached Carson Bird to first-team all-conference and All-America honors in 2007.
In addition to his nine seasons of experience at Air Force, Warren was selected by the Houston Texans to participate in the NFL’s minority internship program in 2007. Warren spent time in training camp with the Texans, and took part in defensive and special teams sessions.
Warren graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in human factors engineering. He was a standout defensive back for the Falcons earning three letters. Warren won the team’s Mr. Intensity Award as a senior, and helped the program to consecutive 10-win seasons in 1997 and 1998, including a 12-1 record and outright conference title in 1998.
Following his college career, Warren performed his active service as a systems acquisitions program manager at both Warner Robbins AFB in Georgia and Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. Warren earned his MBA from Georgia College and State University in 2003.
An Atlanta native, Warren and his wife Jocelyn, have two daughters, Jayree and Teya, and a son, Chase.
Warren Coaching Career
2014—Nebraska, Assistant Coach, Secondary
2012-13—Air Force, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Secondary
2008-11—Air Force, Co-Defensive Coordinator, Secondary, Recruiting Coordinator
2005-07—Air Force, Assistant Coach, Secondary, Recruiting Coordinator
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Running back Ameer Abdullah says he’s returning to Nebraska for his senior season even though the NFL draft advisory committee told him he probably would be selected “very high in the first half” of this year’s draft.
Abdullah said Thursday that he wants to finish his college education before turning pro. He said he’ll receive his history degree in December. He said all eight of his siblings are college graduates.
Abdullah said the high number of running backs in the draft pool didn’t affect his decision. He had the most productive season by a Nebraska rusher since Ahman Green in 1997. Abdullah went over 1,000 yards for the second straight year. His 1,690 yards was the fourth-best total in program history.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Peyton Manning’s foundation for at-risk youth will receive a $500 contribution for every time the Denver Broncos’ quarterback shouts “Omaha” during the AFC championship game.
Manning brought national attention to Nebraska’s largest city with his loud “Omaha” pre-snap calls during the Broncos’ playoff win over San Diego last weekend.
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce president and CEO David Brown announced Thursday that five Omaha-based companies are combining to donate $500 to Manning’s “Peyback Foundation” each time he shouts “Omaha” in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Manning said “Omaha” 44 times in last week’s game. The same number against the Patriots would be worth $22,000 to his foundation.
The participating companies are ConAgra Foods, First National Bank of Omaha, Mutual of Omaha, Omaha Steaks and Union Pacific Railroad.
