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Broncos' Henry returns to face Bills

Sep 9, 2007 - 10:27 AM Denver (9-7) at Buffalo (7-9) Sunday 1:00 pm EDTORCHARD PARK, New York (Ticker) - Travis Henry enjoyed his twobest seasons as a member of the Buffalo Bills. On Sunday, Henryreturns to Ralph Wilson Stadium as a member of the DenverBroncos.Hoping that their new featured back is healthy, the Broncos meetthe Bills in their season opener Sunday.After Tatum Bell and Mike Bell split time in the Denverbackfield last season, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan made the moveto sign Henry as a free agent.In his 13 years as coach, the Broncos have boasted six different1,000-yard rushers - Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, MikeAnderson, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns and Bell.Henry was slowed during the summer after suffering a sprainedleft knee in the Broncos' second preseason game. He is expectedto start this contest.The game should have a bit more significance for Henry, who wasa second-round pick of the Bills in 2001. He rushed for acareer-high 1,438 yards in his second season, then gained 1,356yards the next campaign before falling out of favor with thefranchise.There also is a new era starting in Denver at quarterback, whereJay Cutler will make his first start in an opener.As a rookie last season, Cutler went 2-3 as the starter afterreplacing veteran Jake Plummer in early December. He threw fornine touchdowns and five interceptions.The Broncos have been known for fast starts under Shanahan.Denver has gone an impressive 15-5 in September the last fiveseasons, although it has dropped its opener each of the last twocampaigns.Denver also is trying to recover from a trying offseason.Cornerback Darrant Williams was shot and killed just hours afterlast season's finale against San Francisco, then running backDamien Nash collapsed and died following a charity basketballgame in February.In their first season under coach Dick Jauron in 2006, the Billsshowed improvement as the season went on en route to a 7-9campaign.One player who showed steady progress was third-year quarterbackJ.P. Losman, who threw for 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.The 2004 second-round pick threw for nine scores over the finalfive games.Losman's favorite target is wide receiver Lee Evans, who had 82receptions for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns last season.Evans will be matched against Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey,who tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions.If Losman struggles through the air, the Bills will look forproduction from the ground game in the form of first-round pickMarshawn Lynch. It was a struggle in the preseason for Lynch,who rushed for just 34 yards on 20 carries.