Rice officially makes the team: Nate Jackson to TE

[BigPlayShay]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=4219

Team Camp Day Four: Jackson on the Move
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When Nate Jackson returned to the Broncos for offseason workouts in April after spending a month in California following his rehabilitation from a season-ending injury, Head Coach Mike Shanahan gave him an unusual task -- to gain weight.

Shanahan wanted Jackson to bulk up in order to try him out at tight end after two seasons at wide receiver. It didn't take long for Jackson to pack on 18 pounds to a more tight end-like 235 -- and it didn't take months of work in the weight room, just "three or four weeks" of dietary tweaks.

"I ate well and drank these shakes, three of them a day between meals, one before bed," Jackson said. "The one before bed, I put, they come ready-made shakes. I put the shake itself in a blender, and then two or three eggs, ice cream, chocolate sauce and blended it up and drank that before bed time. I put it on pretty quick."

The chance for more playing time proved worth the extra girth.

"I think what (Shanahan) told me was that it'd be an opportunity to be on the field a little more and hopefully be utilized a little more," Jackson said. "If that's the case, then I'm all for it."

Jackson proved in limited duty last year that he could make the requisite catches across the middle expected of a tight end; his two grabs in a last-minute drive at Jacksonville last Sept. 19 demonstrated his ability to make those catches in the clutch. The challenge now is learning how to block -- something that will take more time and work than the organized team activities can provide.

"It's relatively low-contact," Jackson said. "For me, my technique is not so great right now, so I need to take advantage of this time. Even though we don't have pads, I need to get my head in there.

"That's the problem I've been having, is getting my head in there. I've been using my hands too much. So that's stuff I have to work on."

Jackson believes that his foot speed has been relatively unaffected by the 18 additional pounds -- and if it is, it'll be offset by going up against linebackers and safeties as opposed to cornerbacks.

"Maybe a tiny, tiny bit, but overall I feel like my speed's pretty good -- especially when you change and you're running routes against different people -- slower people," Jackson said, "and if my speed hasn't changed a lot, then it puts me at an advantage."

Quarterback Jake Plummer has been pleased out of what he's seen from his newest veteran tight end.

"He's been looking real good. Obviously there's no pads on," Plummer said. "If we can use him the right way, I think he'll be a big asset for us in the passing game."

The Broncos have extensive recent experience with the receiver-to-tight end transformation, most recently with starter Jeb Putzier, whose position shift actually began during his senior season at Boise State. It's Putzier's development that has helped make Jackson's shift happen, Plummer believes.

"(Jackson is) kind of a hybrid tight end like Jeb was a couple of years ago," Plummer said. "We're counting on Jeb now to be more of an every-down tight end, but Nate's looking good out there.

Denver also moved Shannon Sharpe and Byron Chamberlain from receiver to tight end; both eventually became Pro Bowlers and Sharpe merely caught more passes, amassed more yards and scored more touchdowns than any tight end in NFL history.

But that success didn't make Jackson more amenable to the change. Simply getting a chance for more playing time was enough to compel him to switch.

"I want to be on this team," Jackson said. "If they saw me as a center, and wanted me to put on weight and play center, I'd probably do that."

[SoCalBronco]

Let's see Houdini (Hape) get out of this jam. He will. He always does. Somehow, someway.

[Pezman]

Sigh... I know Shanny is high on Jackson but moving the kid to TE? Its his blocking skills that I would be most worried about with a kid like that. Getting loose after a two second drop at the line is not easy as it is for a prototype TE, but for a wideout convert? I dunno...I'd rather see the kid focus on speed rather than size.

Props for the kid giving it a shot though. I hope it works well for him.

[scorpio]

Sigh... I know Shanny is high on Jackson but moving the kid to TE? Its his blocking skills that I would be most worried about with a kid like that. Getting loose after a two second drop at the line is not easy as it is for a prototype TE, but for a wideout convert? I dunno...I'd rather see the kid focus on speed rather than size.

Props for the kid giving it a shot though. I hope it works well for him.

I think this could work well if we start working in more 2 TE formations. If Jackson plays weakside and Putz learn how to block, I think it could be dangerous.

[SoCalBronco]

B.J. Johnson to the practice squad and Romar Crenshaw to the IR.

[Sodak]

I was impressed with Jackson in that game. He made a couple great catches at very critical times. That's something I didn't see too much of last year.

[orange 4 life]

great move.

he'll lack in the blocking dept., but then so did one shannon sharpe.

he can learn to block better as time goes on, but he may be able to make an immediate impact as a receiving tight end.

[Northman]

I think this might be a good thing. Jackson is probably easily faster than most linebackers and that is what made Shannon such a huge threat.

[Pezman]

I think this could work well if we start working in more 2 TE formations. If Jackson plays weakside and Putz learn how to block, I think it could be dangerous.

With our run game being such a tough thing to use in the red zone last year, I was begging for them to line up that formation more. The pro sets they used at the goal line would have been much more effective with a good 3 tight set. The problem with a kid like Jackson in that scenario is his size and ablility to break out for a quick drop. I just dont know if it would be effective.
I hope I am 100% wrong and the kid turns into a monster at TE.

[Garcia Bronco]

Wow...this guy just wants to be on the field.....darn it Rice.

[Kaylore]

WOW. This is hilarious. I saw him recently and thought "Oh no. Nate Jackson is a total slob and let himself slide this offseason." Turns out the weight gain is intentional. I feel sheepish. :~ohyah!:

[wabbit]

I was kinda hoping he'd be the next Ed McCaffrey...and he IS a decent blocker at the WR position.

...but, with 'House' moving to OT...Nate has a shot.

Is it me, or does it seem as though Denver is trending toward leaner, H-back-type TE's in the Shannon Sharpe mold?

[wabbit]

I was kinda hoping he'd be the next Ed McCaffrey...and he IS a decent blocker at the WR position.

...but, with 'House' moving to OT...Nate does have a shot.

Is it me, or does it seem as though Denver is trending back toward the leaner, H-back-type TE's in the Shannon Sharpe mold?

[Kaylore]

I was kinda hoping he'd be the next Ed McCaffrey...and he IS a decent blocker at the WR position.

...but, with 'House' moving to OT...Nate has a shot.

Is it me, or does it seem as though Denver is trending toward leaner, H-back-type TE's in the Shannon Sharpe mold?
I think this is because the way defense is being scaled back so much in the pass game that they're banking they won't need a big guy that can take hits so much as a fast guy that can block and get down field.

[DBroncos4life]

Hape will make the team I know he will :) This doesn't help "the next Gates" out though.

[wabbit]

TJ...your server is experiencing double vision again...stupid INTERNAL ERROR

Sorry

[DBroncos4life]

Nate Jackson - WR - Broncos


The Broncos are converting Nate Jackson to tight end.
With Jeb Putzier and Byron Chamberlain ahead of him, Jackson is unlikely to be a factor in '05. But the Broncos have an excellent history converting receivers, so he's someone to keep an eye on. Jun. 7 - 8:41 pm et
Source: Broncos.com



Rotoworld is slipping

[Crushaholic]

Nate Jackson - WR - Broncos


The Broncos are converting Nate Jackson to tight end.
With Jeb Putzier and Byron Chamberlain ahead of him, Jackson is unlikely to be a factor in '05. But the Broncos have an excellent history converting receivers, so he's someone to keep an eye on. Jun. 7 - 8:41 pm et
Source: Broncos.com



Rotoworld is slipping

I thought the Broncos cut Byron Chamberlain before last season... hmmm...

oh well, it's not important... :laugh:

I like Nate's enthusiasm towards converting to the TE spot... :thumbsup:

[kappys]

I was kinda hoping he'd be the next Ed McCaffrey...and he IS a decent blocker at the WR position.

...but, with 'House' moving to OT...Nate does have a shot.

Is it me, or does it seem as though Denver is trending back toward the leaner, H-back-type TE's in the Shannon Sharpe mold?

The whole league is trending towars leaner TE's these days. Look at the impact guys out there and pretty much none of them are good blockers anymoe.

I would honestly be surprised to see House as a strick OT. We'll probably see him come in as a tackle eligible newar the red zone since he knows how to play that position.

Hape will make the team because he can also play FB in a pinch, and to be quite honest, didn't seem that bad doing it last year.

[Atlas]

Hape will make the team because he can also play FB in a pinch, and to be quite honest, didn't seem that bad doing it last year.

Anderson can play BOTH FB and RB and do it better than Hape.

:pray: Please Lord Please make sure that Hape gets cut. :pray:

[kappys]

Anderson can play BOTH FB and RB and do it better than Hape.

:pray: Please Lord Please make sure that Hape gets cut. :pray:

But can he now long snap and play TE?

Seriously I was never a fan of the Hape back until last year. I think he did pretty well in the backfield as a FB, and I would honestly rather see him back there instead of Anderson. Anderson is simply a horrible lead blocker. He never learned to do it well, and since I've watched him has been outplayed at that spot by Reuben Droughns, Patrick Hape, and on occasion Dwayne Carswell. Its time for MA to stick fully to RB with his role as FB only be in emergencies.

[Taco John]

TJ...your server is experiencing double vision again...stupid INTERNAL ERROR

Sorry



You'll get that occassionally... Like once every few hundred pages. If you hit refresh, it takes care of the problem. The server usually registers the action, be it a new post or reply...

[Taco John]

Instant Shannon Sharpe. Just add water. ::)

[SpringStein]

The article forgot to mention that Desmond Clark and Billy Miller were converted to TE as well.

[dumpy]

The article forgot to mention that Desmond Clark and Billy Miller were converted to TE as well.


It also failed to mention that Ron Egloff will be competing with Putzier for the starting position.

[BigPlayShay]

But can he now long snap and play TE?

Seriously I was never a fan of the Hape back until last year. I think he did pretty well in the backfield as a FB, and I would honestly rather see him back there instead of Anderson. Anderson is simply a horrible lead blocker. He never learned to do it well, and since I've watched him has been outplayed at that spot by Reuben Droughns, Patrick Hape, and on occasion Dwayne Carswell. Its time for MA to stick fully to RB with his role as FB only be in emergencies.

Hape doesn't long snap, Mike Leach does.

[Ray Finkle]

Hape doesn't long snap, Mike Leach does.


so does Chris Myer....

[Alkazar]

Well, I see I'm late on the draw yet again. I was going to post this as soon as I saw it this morning but it looks like its been here for a while already. Personally, I like this move. Although I like the Putz, I've been thinking we're a little short on receiving TE's since Sharpe decided to retire. I'm really hoping Jackson will work out as a WR/TE convert. For the most part we've been successful at these conversions.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Didn't know that Nate Jackson was so good that he was standing between Rice and a roster spot. Another overhyped fan fav who was asked to switch positions, ho hum.

[WyoLaw]

How do you think this affects Wessley Dukes? Or is he destined to be on the practice squad this year? I would think he is, but you never know, we are getting pretty deep with "talent" at tight end, but have very little expierence, with the expection of Alexander.

[Dukes]

I've gotta get my hands on these shakes! Damnit I hate being skinny, stupid matabolism :boxing:

[BigPlayShay]

How do you think this affects Wessley Dukes? Or is he destined to be on the practice squad this year? I would think he is, but you never know, we are getting pretty deep with "talent" at tight end, but have very little expierence, with the expection of Alexander.

As raw as this kid is, he will be on the Practice Squad for sure. Perhaps they will look to utilize Mike Leach at TE more rather than just long snapper.

[BigPlayShay]

Didn't know that Nate Jackson was so good that he was standing between Rice and a roster spot. Another overhyped fan fav who was asked to switch positions, ho hum.

Based on last years depth chart Luke and Jackson rotated between the 4 and 5 WR spot. Rice is competing for one of these spots (NOT 1, 2, or 3). With Jackson out of the WR picture, Rice is competing with Luke, Adams, and a bunch of dudes that have a slim chance. Hell, shanny may keep 6 this year.

[DBroncos4life]

Didn't know that Nate Jackson was so good that he was standing between Rice and a roster spot. Another overhyped fan fav who was asked to switch positions, ho hum.



yep thats what I think.

[Mediator12]

Didn't know that Nate Jackson was so good that he was standing between Rice and a roster spot. Another overhyped fan fav who was asked to switch positions, ho hum.

That's one way to look at it.

However, The broncos top three receivers of all time were also rans and afterthoughts in other teams camps. Sharp was a seventh round draft pick at WR and took several years to convert to TE, McCaffrey took three years elsewhere before he came here to start, oh and Rod Smith was a practice squad guy who had to pay his dues to get a chance.

Sure the Media and Fan favorites are a dime a dozen to some, but they have turned out fairly well in denver unlike the Marcus Nash's of the World.

[WyoLaw]

As raw as this kid is, he will be on the Practice Squad for sure. Perhaps they will look to utilize Mike Leach at TE more rather than just long snapper.

Yeah, I think Dukes will probably spend a year on the practice squad. However, I sure hope you are wrong, in regards to Mike Leach. I hate having to use up a roster spot on a guy who only long snaps. I sure hope this Myers kid can get the job done, it would open another roster spot.

[Atlas]

That's one way to look at it.

However, The broncos top three receivers of all time were also rans and afterthoughts in other teams camps. Sharp was a seventh round draft pick at WR and took several years to convert to TE, McCaffrey took three years elsewhere before he came here to start, oh and Rod Smith was a practice squad guy who had to pay his dues to get a chance.

.

You could also throw in Steve Watson. I believe he was an undrafted FA out of Temple.

[kappys]

Yeah, I think Dukes will probably spend a year on the practice squad. However, I sure hope you are wrong, in regards to Mike Leach. I hate having to use up a roster spot on a guy who only long snaps. I sure hope this Myers kid can get the job done, it would open another roster spot.

I disagree, Even if he only long snaps botching one of those could have huge implications for a game. you have to have perfect consistency. Remember the dude from the Giants a few years ago? Botched job cost them the playoff win. I thought Hape was trying to be a long snapper as well, but just wasn't good enough at it.