Broncos' roster has talent, but experience lacking

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 31, 2008 at 5:22 p.m.

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Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld © Getty

Denver's Wesley Woodyard, right, made the Broncos 53-man roster despite being undrafted during this year's draft. While fellow rookie Josh Barrett, left, failed to make the 53-man roster, but was signed to Denver's practice squad.

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Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has been dropping hints for months about what the team's roster may look like as it made the turn toward the regular season.

Dropping hints that a franchise that had leaned decidedly toward veteran players in its construction for more than a decade would look to the draft and would look to take some football gray out of the locker room.

"And you could see that," said guard/center P.J. Alexander, who was one of 17 players waived Saturday as the Broncos cut their roster to 53. "They have a lot of young guys; you could see it going that way. Especially since those young guys can play."

And when the Broncos trot out for an afternoon practice today in preparation for their season opener in Oakland a week later, they will have 24 players among the 53 who have fewer than three full seasons of experience. That's 45.3 percent of the roster and a decided departure from the way the Broncos have done their business for the most part during Shanahan's tenure.

The Broncos began last season with the fourth-oldest starting lineup in the league, but after injuries and quality of play had jumbled things on the depth chart, they finished '07 with five second-year players starting on offense in the season finale against Minnesota to go with then-rookie Selvin Young.

Defensively, they started one second-year player in that season finale (Elvis Dumervil) to go with then-rookie Marcus Thomas.

In 2006, the Broncos began the season with the oldest starting lineup in the league, with 10 players who were at least 30 years old at the time. And in 2005 - that was their last playoff season - they began the year with the second-oldest starting lineup in the league.

"But talk is cheap, I always say that," Shanahan said this past week when asked about the potential of youth being served in the final roster cuts. "But we like the way a lot of the younger guys have gone through the offseason, the OTAs and training camp."

And this year, some of the youngest Broncos can be found poised to play along the offensive line, a place where Denver long has taken the slow-and-steady, wait-and-watch approach. But after the dust settled in these roster moves, rookie Ryan Clady will start at left tackle, second-year tackle Ryan Harris will start on the right side while rookie Tyler Polumbus is serving as Clady's backup, and third-year tackle Erik Pears will back up Harris.

That's to go with Chris Kuper, in his third season, starting at right guard and rookie Kory Lich- tensteiger backing up at center.

Polumbus, a Cherry Creek High School graduate, started 26 games at tackle for the University of Colorado and steadily worked his way up the Broncos' depth chart throughout the offseason. Some teams were concerned about his shoulder before the draft - he had surgery after spring practice in '06 - but he didn't miss a down in his last two seasons for the Buffaloes.

"Tyler's done a good job," Sha- nahan said. "He's competed, and we've gotten a good look at him in the workouts and the exhibition games."

And after selecting 20 players in the 2003 and 2004 drafts combined, only to keep linebacker D.J. Williams from that group - a group that at least part of which would be in its pre-free agency prime at the moment - the Broncos now sport 16 players from their past three drafts on the 53- man roster.

That total includes seven of the nine-player class this year. Defensive end Carlton Powell is on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a season-ending Achilles' injury in offseason workouts, so he is not among the final 53, and safety Josh Barrett was waived Saturday.

Barrett was signed to the practice squad Sunday.

"As a young guy, you always want to show you can come in a contribute," said rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal, the Broncos' second-round pick in April. "You want to do as much as you can to get as much playing time as you can."

"You like to see young guys where the game isn't too big for them," Shanahan said. "Some guys, it's nerves or whatever, they don't show all of what they can do. Some guys can't handle the pressure. We feel like we have some young guys who have shown they may be able to. We'll see when we play, but we like how they've handled themselves."

This year also will be the first time in Shanahan's tenure where three undrafted rookies have a chance to be on the roster for the opening game. Polumbus, punter Brett Kern and linebacker Wesley Woodyard all survived the cutdown Saturday.

Perhaps one of the few positions that didn't get younger was wide receiver.

With Brandon Marshall, in his third year, set to start the season on reserve/suspended for a week, the Broncos kept Brandon Stokley (10th year), Darrell Jackson (ninth year) and Keary Colbert (fifth year) along with Royal.

"So for me, I knew it was coming," said Glenn Martinez, who was waived Saturday. "They got a lot of vets out there. You just hope you can work hard and somebody else sees you working hard."

The Broncos leaned toward experience at linebacker - six players there are entering at least their fifth season - but Woodyard and rookie Spencer Larsen, who also can play fullback, did enough so the team was forced to keep an uncharacteristic eight players at the position.

"I know I just wanted to make it as hard on them as possible, do everything you can to make the team," Larsen said.

ETC: In addition to Barrett, guard Mitch Erickson, quarterback Darrell Hackney and defensive tackle Steven Harris were signed to the Broncos' practice squad Sunday. They still have three slots open. Practice squad players can only work through the week and can't suit up for games. . . . The Broncos claimed safety Calvin Lowry off waivers Sunday. If no team that finished below the Broncos in '07 claimed him as well, Lowry will be awarded to the Broncos and the team would have to make a roster move to fit him in. Lowry was a fourth-round pick by the Titans in the 2006 draft and had been waived by the team Saturday.

• August 31, 2008

  5:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  1broncofaninparadise writes:

  Glad they re-signed Josh Barrett. He definitely has the physical tools and if coached up enough, he could be a player.

• August 31, 2008

  8:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  Love Barrett, but still question why he is on PS. Plus no one claimed him. But Rodney Rodgers developed from our PS.
  Just love Erickson OL making PS. He beat out Alexander, Gandy, and played some tackle.
  Remember guys, any team can claim these players. But they have to put them on their 53.
  Want dre moore ? Remember we had plenty of chanches at him in the draft and he is a two gap player only and had some character issues. NO Thanks

• August 31, 2008

  8:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  aragornzxl writes:

  Im a bRONCOS fan and a titans fan, and Im estatic to see the Broncos claim lowry off waivers. This guy is pretty good for a starter, and a heck of a back-up. I say lets cut rogers and bring in Lowry. That would be a huge plus.

• August 31, 2008

  9:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  aragornzxl, so tell me, when Denver played the Titans last year, who did you root for? And if they both played each other in the playoffs, who would you want to win? I like to keep my life uncomplicated and just have one team.

• August 31, 2008

  9:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  crushon77 writes:

  uhh... what about clifford russell?

• August 31, 2008

  10:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  crushon77, what about him? He was cut. Are you meaning why didn't they mention him, I don't know?

• September 1, 2008

  8:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncodano writes:

  We need Dre Moore.. DT from Bucs...

  one more guy on the defensive line, and i have wanted this guy on the broncos since the draft...

  there is some concern about his attitude, but he seems to be a very athletic individual.

  For christmas, i want him on the broncos, Angelina Jolie in a two peice, and a pony...

  bd

• September 1, 2008

  1:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  broncodano, yeah, and I want Sarah Michelle Gellar to leave Freddie Prince and hook up with me, ha, ha. Yes, Dre would be a nice addition. I'm telling everyone, though, Robertson will get the job done as a DT. But if his knees fail him, Dre would be nice.

• September 1, 2008

  2:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bluebeard writes:

  In all fairness, I think the Broncos from the higher brass down have done a great job in revamping the team, but I still think the Broncos have quite a ways to go before becoming a true competitor in the AFC because of these reasons. (not in any particular order)
  1.Our offensive line is inexperienced. You are delusional if you think that our O-line is going to be the bomb from the 4 preseason games that you saw. They'll have there troubles throughout the season. Silver lining: they didn't give up a sack, which is a great sign.
  2.Sorry to say it, but other than Dumervil, our O-line is sub-par. Jarvis Moss is slowly turning out to be a BUST, and I think he's even beginning to realize it. Perhaps it's the scheme that he's in, but he must be one of the weakest(as in not strong) lineman I've ever seen. He only knows how to speed rush!!! Put some meat on them bones Jarvis and learn some different techniques. Thomas and Crowder are coming along though.
  3.I'm sorry, but if quarterbacks are going to throw screens towards Dre all year, this team is doomed. He'll probably pick one of those off and take it to the house, but 95% of the time the receiver's going to pickup around 10 yards because he can't tackle. Put Foxy in there, at least he'll show some grittiness. Dre=overrated gambler.
  4.Our offense needs a between the tackles rusher. Perhaps it will be Ryan Torain?
  5.Linebackers... D.J. is a beast. Webster and Bailey on the other hand are just average. Which will do for now. At least Gold's gone.
  6.Safeties: Average at best...

  Other than that I think we have a pretty good team. Cutler should have a great year. Marshall is back for the Chargers game and should become a superstar. I like the other receivers we have. Our tight ends our good. In summation, the Broncos are good enough to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Go Broncos!!! (I know you die-hards will have a tough time swallowing that pill, but deep inside you know it too)

• September 1, 2008

  5:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  watcher1 writes:

  The Broncos will win 4 games--5 at best--this season.

• September 1, 2008

  5:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BCC233 writes:

  Bluebeard - I have a couple of problems with your post. First, Bailey is one of the best strong side linebackers in the NFL. They need a stud at Mike backer, I agree. Bailey has not stayed healthy that is his drawback, not his play. Second, Bly's biggest problem is he is compared to the guy on the other side. Bly's no Champ but he is a good corner. Why do you think offenses run those screens? Most corners can't tackle. Deon Sanders could not tackle to save his life. Champ is unique in that area. You may be right about Moss but I would like to give Rich Tuten and the Broncos training staff one more year to get him ready. He has not played much football, so I want to see what happens next year. Also a system wide staph infection can take years to get over. Ask Mark Schlereth. He had a staph infection so the Redskins let him go after waiting almost two years for him to get back to his old self. Mark is one of the toughest people to have played the game. This is a guy who had an arthroscopic procedure done on a Monday and played the next weekend. That is one nasty thing to have. I know people who never fully regained there health after having one that lasted over a year.

• September 1, 2008

  5:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BCC233 writes:

  So Hillis is the starting Fullback? I did not see that anywhere. Does someone have the last depth chart?

• September 1, 2008

  8:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  incognitoboy writes:

  bcc233, you are correct. the broncos web site has the depth chart updated today and hillis is the starting FB.

  ahead of pittman (ouch).

  interestingly, larsen is listed as 3rd team FB, but not as 3rd team LB. he was drafted as a LB, why not list him as such? we don't have a 3rd 'mike'.......

  they already have lowry listed as 2nd team FS, but foxworth has not been removed yet, probably because his trade has not yet finalized.

  speaking of which - foxy, you seem to be a man of character, integrity, and maturity far beyond your youth, and i have been proud to root for you. hope you land in a good team far, far away from our division ;-) good luck 22!

  plenty of rooks on this team. the youth movement is ON!!

• September 1, 2008

  9:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  watcher1, go back to your hole (black hole) where you belong. Also, so tell us, did that lobotomy you had, really hurt?
  incognitoboy, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raiders try to pick him up. They take all of our scraps. In fairness though, I liked Foxworth and supported his play. Good luck to you Domonique.
  Pittman is in truth, a RB who can also play FB. They would be great for the short yardage situations. Two bulls to punch holes in the line.

• September 1, 2008

  9:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  I noticed that we picked up Ryan McBean to the PS? He is a DE. That is a loud and clear wake up call to Moss. He had better pull it together this year and play up to his potential.

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