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tw i n c i t y do dge presents: boilermakers in the nfl Denver Finds Great Value In Phillips BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@ GoldandBlack.com T here couldn't have been many better free agent pickups last offseason than Shaun Phillips. Working on a one-year, $1-million deal, Phillips already has nine sacks in Denver, following his nine-year stint in San Diego. The total is the best on the Broncos, who are fighting for the top seed in the AFC playoffs, and is only 1.5 short of his season high, showing he Denver Broncos still has a lot left in Shaun Phillips is making only $1-million in base salary this season, but has already hit what's been an out- one incentive and will soon hit another. standing career. like I deserved." "For me, it was kind of shocking that Phillips, a fourth-round draft pick more teams weren't calling me," Phillips in 2004, has 78.5 sacks in his nine-plus told the Associated Press of his offsea- seasons in the NFL, more than everyson. "I was coming off a good year. A one but Minnesota's Jared Allen in his few teams, obviously, made offers but draft class. they weren't anywhere near what I felt He has already reached a $400,000 incentive for reaching eight sacks; he'll hit another one with 10 sacks. "You always need some sort of gas to fuel your fire, though," Phillips told the AP. "Not everyone was out there saying, `We want Shaun Phillips on our team.' "It irked me a little bit, so you just go out and work that much harder to prove myself that much more." Great Year For Ninkovich Although Rob Ninkovich might not be the pass rush specialist that others are at his position, yet he's probably more well-rounded. The former Boilermaker is showing that this season. Ninkovich, a defensive end for New England, had 13 tackles in the Patriots' comeback overtime victory against Denver on Sunday night. Ninkovich has five sacks this season — and a career-high of eight — yet Pro Football Focus lists him as its fourthbest defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. Through 11 games this season, Ninkovich has 67 tackles, only seven short of his career high in 2011 when he played linebacker. j TWIN CITY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM 650 Sagamore Parkway South Lafayette, IN 47905 See the 2014 Jeep Wrangler! 800-562-4581 TwinCitySuperstore.com GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 12 • 22