PatsWin2002
05-18-2005, 10:11 AM
http://www.lovelandfyi.com/sports-story.asp?ID=595
Publish Date: 5/18/2005
Teammates taking to RB Clarett
Despite past, Broncos’ players welcome pick with open arms
By Pat Graham
For the Reporter-Herald
ENGLEWOOD — At the wedding of Denver Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier, which also happened to coincide with draft day, the conversation naturally centered on one topic — Maurice Clarett.
The guests, including numerous teammates, were caught off guard by the selection of Clarett in the third round of the April 23rd draft.
“It was one of the only guys my wife knew that was drafted,” Putzier said. “She was excited that she actually knew who he was.”
Clarett become a household name thanks more to his off-the-field antics than his performance on the field. The former Ohio State running back has falsified a police report, made overtures that Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel arranged for him to get passing grades and challenged the NFL ruling that you had to be three years removed from your high school graduation to declare for the draft, to name a few prior transgressions.
But those indiscretions are water under the bridge. Clarett has a clean slate as he takes part in the Broncos’ quarterback camp the next two weeks.
“There is a lot of talk about him, but at the same time, he’s now our teammate and we try to come in here with open arms,” Putzier said.
Clarett’s not talking to the media yet. He vows to converse sometime, just not now. Clarett, who’s surrendered his collegiate No. 13 for No. 20, looks to be in good shape, but that’s hard to judge.
“I really don’t know what kind of shape he’s in,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. “But watching him, it looked like things came very natural for him.”
There’s no question Clarett possesses talent. He rushed for 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns his freshman, and only, year at Ohio State. Clarett’s senior year at Warren Harding High School in Youngstown, Ohio, he had 2,194 yards and 38 scores. He was named the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year.
“He’s a good back,” fellow running back Ron Dayne said. That’s high praise coming from Dayne, who’s fighting for a spot on the roster.
“I just want to go out there, have fun and compete,” said Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner out of Wisconsin.
Does Clarett’s presence spell doom for Dayne?
“No, not at all,” he said. “It’s just bringing in more competition.”
It’s also bringing in more questions. All everyone wants to know about is Clarett. He’s the primary focus.
“A lot of my friends ask me, ‘What’s up with Clarett?’” Denver cornerback Lenny Walls said. “I tell them, ‘Man, he’s not even here yet, let him play.’ I’ll just be here with open arms. I’ll probably hang out with him. You can ask the guys here, I’m probably the coolest guy around here to hang out with.”
In that case, Clarett will surely want to hang around Walls. Actually, the veterans have all expressed an interest in watching out for Clarett. They don’t care about his past baggage.
“I could fit all my (baggage) on a horse; he might (need) a U-Haul,” Putzier said with a grin. “There are a lot of guys that come in here with excess baggage. If they don’t have the right attitude, then this is not the place to be and they’re gone real quick.
“All you do is hope. He has a great coach and people in front of him like (running back) Mike Anderson, who are going to teach him what it takes to be a pro.”
Publish Date: 5/18/2005
Teammates taking to RB Clarett
Despite past, Broncos’ players welcome pick with open arms
By Pat Graham
For the Reporter-Herald
ENGLEWOOD — At the wedding of Denver Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier, which also happened to coincide with draft day, the conversation naturally centered on one topic — Maurice Clarett.
The guests, including numerous teammates, were caught off guard by the selection of Clarett in the third round of the April 23rd draft.
“It was one of the only guys my wife knew that was drafted,” Putzier said. “She was excited that she actually knew who he was.”
Clarett become a household name thanks more to his off-the-field antics than his performance on the field. The former Ohio State running back has falsified a police report, made overtures that Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel arranged for him to get passing grades and challenged the NFL ruling that you had to be three years removed from your high school graduation to declare for the draft, to name a few prior transgressions.
But those indiscretions are water under the bridge. Clarett has a clean slate as he takes part in the Broncos’ quarterback camp the next two weeks.
“There is a lot of talk about him, but at the same time, he’s now our teammate and we try to come in here with open arms,” Putzier said.
Clarett’s not talking to the media yet. He vows to converse sometime, just not now. Clarett, who’s surrendered his collegiate No. 13 for No. 20, looks to be in good shape, but that’s hard to judge.
“I really don’t know what kind of shape he’s in,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. “But watching him, it looked like things came very natural for him.”
There’s no question Clarett possesses talent. He rushed for 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns his freshman, and only, year at Ohio State. Clarett’s senior year at Warren Harding High School in Youngstown, Ohio, he had 2,194 yards and 38 scores. He was named the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year.
“He’s a good back,” fellow running back Ron Dayne said. That’s high praise coming from Dayne, who’s fighting for a spot on the roster.
“I just want to go out there, have fun and compete,” said Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner out of Wisconsin.
Does Clarett’s presence spell doom for Dayne?
“No, not at all,” he said. “It’s just bringing in more competition.”
It’s also bringing in more questions. All everyone wants to know about is Clarett. He’s the primary focus.
“A lot of my friends ask me, ‘What’s up with Clarett?’” Denver cornerback Lenny Walls said. “I tell them, ‘Man, he’s not even here yet, let him play.’ I’ll just be here with open arms. I’ll probably hang out with him. You can ask the guys here, I’m probably the coolest guy around here to hang out with.”
In that case, Clarett will surely want to hang around Walls. Actually, the veterans have all expressed an interest in watching out for Clarett. They don’t care about his past baggage.
“I could fit all my (baggage) on a horse; he might (need) a U-Haul,” Putzier said with a grin. “There are a lot of guys that come in here with excess baggage. If they don’t have the right attitude, then this is not the place to be and they’re gone real quick.
“All you do is hope. He has a great coach and people in front of him like (running back) Mike Anderson, who are going to teach him what it takes to be a pro.”