ENGLEWOOD — Von Miller started talking about how much he’s always enjoyed playing against Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers when he caught himself.
“Well, I’m lying, I didn’t used to always like going against Philip," Miller said during his weekly press conference Thursday. “I really didn’t like the guy until like two years ago at the Pro Bowl. When I met him, and we kicked it at the Pro Bowl, I was just blown away by what type of guy he was on and off the football field."
Miller clarified the only reason why he didn’t like playing against Rivers was because he was a member of the AFC West rival Chargers. No more, no less. Although Miller does understand why others dislike Rivers during the spirit of competition.
“Because he’s good and because he talks," Miller said. “I wouldn’t say it’s trash, because his trash talk really doesn’t bother me. ‘I got the first down, sucker.’ It really doesn’t bother me. Some guys it does, but not me. I like playing against Philip. He’s a good guy.”
Miller, who enters the game Sunday against the Chargers with 92.5 career sacks in just 7 ½ seasons, has 15.0 against Rivers. The next-most sacked QB by Miller is Alex Smith with 8.0.
Turkey Bowl for cause
The 20th annual Turkey Bowl, featuring several former Colorado Buffaloes and Broncos players and other sports celebrities will kick off at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at Veterans Park (behind the police station of I-25 and University.)
The event is sponsored by Nike and the Authentic Performance Center with all proceeds benefiting The Morgan Adams Foundation which works with children affected by cancer.
Among the local sports figures expected to participate are Reggie Rivers, Mark Jackson, Chad Brown, Ryan Sutter, Mark Randall, Derek West, Trevor Baptiste, agent Peter Schaffer and TV sportscaster Vic Lombardi.
Football without Paradis
Just as they did in finishing the game against Houston when center Matt Paradis went down with a season-ending ankle injury two weeks ago, the Broncos will play Elijah Wilkinson at right guard as Connor McGovern shifts from guard to center.
Life without Paradis won’t be easy for the Broncos.
“Yeah, that's going to be a tough one," said offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. “Connor is going to do his very best, but Connor has been playing guard—as we know—for the previous eight and a half games. He lacks some time on task, but he's receiving a crash course here the last week or 10 days when we've been out here on the field.
“We're going to give him the best chance to be successful, to gain some confidence and get into a rhythm at the center position.”
Bronco Bits
Upon appeal, running back Phillip Lindsay had his fine reduced from$10,026 to $2,500. He was initially fined and ejected for throwing a couple haymakers in a scrum for a fumble during the Broncos’ week 3 game at Baltimore. Lindsay contended he was swinging to punch the ball loose and not at a Ravens’ player. …
Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) and safety Dymonte Thomas (ankle) again did side work during practice Thursday. Neither is expected to play Sunday against the Chargers.
