Smith still has big role with Broncos

[dragondawg]

By Ryan Thorburn

Terrell Davis was the superstar with the million-dollar smile who was named most valuable player of the NFL and of a Super Bowl. Ed McCaffrey sold more jerseys and mustard. Shannon Sharpe had better end zone celebrations and sound bites.

But the Rod Smith story — from going undrafted out of Missouri Southern to catching a touchdown pass from John Elway in the Super Bowl to becoming the best receiver in Denver Broncos history — is the most impressive.

Unfortunately, it appears as if the end of Smith's unlikely pro football tale is just about over, barring an Elway-like comeback in the summer's final moments.

With training camp looming, the now 37-year-old Smith still can't run due to the hip surgery that followed a 2006 season in which he caught only 52 passes for 512 yards (9.8 per) and three touchdowns.

Not being able to run isn't a good development for someone in the wide receiver business. Especially when the numbers are already on the way down.

Right now it appears that the best-case scenario for Smith is to get healthy enough by August to beat out another broken down veteran — Brandon Stokley — for the No. 3 receiver spot in Jay Cutler's huddle.

Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall are bigger, faster and stronger players. They're also much younger than Smith. Same story for the new generation of Denver tight ends — Dan Graham and Tony Scheffler.

But Smith, who has always understood and accepted the fact that he wasn't blessed with the God-given talent first-day picks often take for granted, still has a Hall of Fame work ethic.

His desire and determination to be great has resulted in more all-purpose yards (12,488), receiving yards (11,389), receptions (849), receiving touchdowns (68) and 100-yard receiving games (30) than any player in franchise history.

Mike Shanahan has fired coaching friends and cut some of his favorite players over the years, but calling employee No. 80 up to the office is obviously something the Bronco boss doesn't even want to think about yet.

And if anyone has earned the benefit of the doubt, it's Rod Smith.

"I can't give you a timetable right now," Shanahan told reporters at least week's minicamp when asked about Smith's recovery. "But over the next few weeks before we start camp he'll be working every day with Greek (head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos), and obviously the more he can do the more we'll push him, but we don't want to push him too hard."

A couple of years ago the other starter on Shanahan's all-time fantasy wide receiver list, Jerry Rice, tried to extend his career one more season with the Broncos. It took getting out-performed by the immortal Todd Devoe for the greatest of all time to finally hang up the cleats.

So what if Smith finds himself in a similar position? Would the proud champion want to finish his brilliant career as a part-time role player on a team that is being led by a still very young quarterback?

The Broncos should hope so.

Walker and Marshall, despite possessing incredible athletic gifts, clearly have some mental hurdles to get over this fall. Walker began the year with Darrent Williams' blood stained all over his clothing after watching helplessly as his friend died in the fateful New Year's Eve drive-by shooting. Marshall was arrested on domestic violence charges during the offseason and admits to having some maturing to do after making headlines for the wrong reasons.

Smith has experienced just about everything a player can go through in the NFL — including the feeling of holding the Lombardi Trophy (twice) — and will still command as much respect in the locker room as anyone on the roster, even as a backup.

Hollywood endings in professional football are as rare as Elway's right arm. The reality of the NFL can even bite flashy No. 1 overall picks, as a healthy Keyshawn Johnson found out when his career ended on the waiver wire.

Here's hoping that Smith can beat the odds one more time and get a chance to exit with the 16-game salute that eluded Rice and so many other great players.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/jul/16/commentary-smith-still-has-big-role-with-broncos/

[Los Broncos]

It will hurt to see Rod go.

But all good things must end.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Here's hoping that Smith can beat the odds one more time and get a chance to exit with the 16-game salute that eluded Rice and so many other great players.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/jul/16/commentary-smith-still-has-big-role-with-broncos/

Amen

[epicSocialism4tw]

It looks like someone read SoCal's post the other day.

[CBF1]

Rod will be back healthy and make a difference for the Broncos this season. We need his leadership in a big way this season after losing Al Wilson.

[ZONA]

He can't even run and training camp is less then 2 weeks away. There is too much depth on this team to save a spot for an injured 37 year old who's numbers have gone down big time over the past few years. We all love Rod, but this is a young mans game. Rod has had a great career. Let him heal so he can enjoy the rest of his life. Don't try and rush back to be a 3r, 4th or 5th receiver. He was too good for that.

[bronco610]

What about IR so he gets one legit chance to see if at 100% healthy he can still contribute?

[chrisp]

Rod will line up and play if he can, if he can't he may call time - I for one am not calling this one yet. It looks bleak, but no-one's going to keep him around purely out of sympathy. If he makes the roster it will be becuase he's still good enough, and we will be a better team for haing him on the bench. If he doesn't make the team then it will be time to salute the career of one of the greatest Broncos ever.

I think that after all he's done for us we can allow him a few weeks to see if he can get healthy.

[yerner]

I still say smith is better than any of the sorry ass recievers we could put out there. Stokley??? reallY?? Marshall??? dudes apparently giving out man handies to the press cause he couldn't beat smith out last year with a rotting hip. This is all bs. Rod Smith is still the best reciever on our team. And thats not good. I know, 'javon's great' but doesn't get thrown to. Come on. Rod played with griese and still got his. 52 catchs last year. not bad. Yeah I blabbering but I am shocked he's getting written off for the likes of stokley, marshall, and the beloved hixon..

[Houshyamama]

I still say smith is better than any of the sorry ass recievers we could put out there. Stokley??? reallY?? Marshall??? dudes apparently giving out man handies to the press cause he couldn't beat smith out last year with a rotting hip. This is all bs. Rod Smith is still the best reciever on our team. And thats not good. I know, 'javon's great' but doesn't get thrown to. Come on. Rod played with griese and still got his. 52 catchs last year. not bad. Yeah I blabbering but I am shocked he's getting written off for the likes of stokley, marshall, and the beloved hixon..

Fear not my friend.

Rod Smith this year:

720 yds
5 TD

[OrangeShadow]

It will hurt to see Rod go.

But all good things must end.

i hope he sticks around as a wr coach

[CoBear23]

i hope he sticks around as a wr coach

A la Jimmy Spencer, I like where your heads at!

[12th man]

Man, that article was kind of depressing.

I will not be shocked to see Rod get through this and be anywhere from a 1 wr to a 3wr, and being a major contributer to this offense. Rod's a fighter with a heart of a lion, and has always kept his body in tip top shape. He could fight through this problem.

And you have to remember that he was probably worse last year with his hip injury. The doctors said they were amazed that he could even run last year let alone play football. Imagine what Rod will be like without that pain or the injury. It will be business as usuall for him. Just give him time to heal,even if it is till the start of the reg. season, and I truly believe that he will be fine.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Adios.

[Beantown Bronco]

If he still can't run in a month's time, then I'd be worried. If ever there was a guy that doesn't need to be out there in July and August, it's Rod. We know what he can do and he doesn't need to be out there for this fluff. Get healthy for the final preseason game and regular season, and that would work just fine for me.

[cmhargrove]

I still say smith is better than any of the sorry ass recievers we could put out there. Stokley??? reallY?? Marshall??? dudes apparently giving out man handies to the press cause he couldn't beat smith out last year with a rotting hip. This is all bs. Rod Smith is still the best reciever on our team. And thats not good. I know, 'javon's great' but doesn't get thrown to. Come on. Rod played with griese and still got his. 52 catchs last year. not bad. Yeah I blabbering but I am shocked he's getting written off for the likes of stokley, marshall, and the beloved hixon..

Remember, we are starting the year with Cutler, not a scared Jake. We will be run first, but the big play potential for all our receivers is now there. Javon is a pro-bowl receiver. He won several games for us last year, and will do it again.

Marshall has all the skills, he just needs to stay healthy. That looks like his major fault.

Stokely is already impressing the coaches and you can't discredit his ability as a slot receiver. The dude is kind of like McCaffrey because he will take it over the middle, get whacked, and still hold on. And, he is used to catching rockets from Peyton. He may be the best receiver we have for defeating zone coverage.

That being said, I hope Rod beats him out and comes back with more speed than the last two years. I hope he can last this year and next. That would be enough time to give us a real chance at a Super Bowl run. If he finished even as a #3 on a Super Bowl team, that might get him into the HOF.

[maher_tyler]

Man, that article was kind of depressing.

I will not be shocked to see Rod get through this and be anywhere from a 1 wr to a 3wr, and being a major contributer to this offense. Rod's a fighter with a heart of a lion, and has always kept his body in tip top shape. He could fight through this problem.

And you have to remember that he was probably worse last year with his hip injury. The doctors said they were amazed that he could even run last year let alone play football. Imagine what Rod will be like without that pain or the injury. It will be business as usuall for him. Just give him time to heal,even if it is till the start of the reg. season, and I truly believe that he will be fine.

I agree, it'll be a sad day for bronco fans to see Rod hang'em up, i hope that he heals up and plays one more season even if he has to be a 3rd WR, maybe 4th, his leadership will be missed in the locker room and on the field if he calls it a career but i agree with OrangeShadow, if he retires i'd like to see him become the recievers coach, i was thinking the samething!!

[brncs_fan]

Adios my arse.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Who else is looking forward to a Shawn Taylor injury this season?

[55CrushEm]

He can't even run and training camp is less then 2 weeks away. There is too much depth on this team to save a spot for an injured 37 year old who's numbers have gone down big time over the past few years. We all love Rod, but this is a young mans game. Rod has had a great career. Let him heal so he can enjoy the rest of his life. Don't try and rush back to be a 3r, 4th or 5th receiver. He was too good for that.

Well said.

[55CrushEm]

I will not be shocked to see Rod get through this and be anywhere from a 1 wr to a 3wr, and being a major contributer to this offense. Rod's a fighter with a heart of a lion, and has always kept his body in tip top shape. He could fight through this problem.


No way in hell that Rod could ever be the #1 WR on our team again.....not with Javon.

And yes, Rod has always kept his body in tip top shape.....but they said this was "major" hip surgery.

Could he have come back from this surgery 5 years ago?.....yes......now? I'm not so sure.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

He can't even run and training camp is less then 2 weeks away. There is too much depth on this team to save a spot for an injured 37 year old who's numbers have gone down big time over the past few years. We all love Rod, but this is a young mans game. Rod has had a great career. Let him heal so he can enjoy the rest of his life. Don't try and rush back to be a 3r, 4th or 5th receiver. He was too good for that.

His numbers went down big time over the past few years? 2005: 85 Catches, 1105 yards. While he might be done because of his injury and age, lets night claim he's been on a downward spiral for "years"

[SonOfLe-loLang]

whoops...lets NOT claim..not night...sorry, my sleeping pills are still in effect

[orange 4 life]

Man, that article was kind of depressing.

I will not be shocked to see Rod get through this and be anywhere from a 1 wr to a 3wr, and being a major contributer to this offense. Rod's a fighter with a heart of a lion, and has always kept his body in tip top shape. He could fight through this problem.

And you have to remember that he was probably worse last year with his hip injury. The doctors said they were amazed that he could even run last year let alone play football. Imagine what Rod will be like without that pain or the injury. It will be business as usuall for him. Just give him time to heal,even if it is till the start of the reg. season, and I truly believe that he will be fine.

THIS is the side of the story no one wants to talk about.
he caught 52 passes for 500 yards last year while BARELY BEING ABLE TO RUN!!!
sure, his recovery is slower than anticipated, but does a guy like rod really need training camp anyway?
he'll take his time, get back in shape, make it onto the field sometime before the end of preseason, get a few reps in, and FINALLY be able to play without pain.

i predict his production goes UP, and i predict he'll be the starter opposite walker. yeah, i think marshall is on the field as much or more, but rod is still the starter, and given that cutler is so green, rod is also the guy he goes to in the clutch.
further, the fact that cutler has a cannon means that he can squeeze some passes into a semi covered #80 that plummer or griese couldnt.
we need rods leadership, and we need rods SKILLS.
i predict he'll catch 60+ passes for 600+ yards and the doubters will be eating alot of crow.

[baja]

I started a thread before last season began saying Smith would end the season as the 3rd receiver and got crucified here.

Turns out I was right

Now I'm saying if Rod comes back from his surgery 100% do not count him out. A healthy Rod Smith is better that the inexperienced Brandon Marshall at least for the first half on the season

There is not another Bronco that will help a learning Jay Cutler any more than Rod Smith.

[orange 4 life]

I started a thread before last season began saying Smith would end the season as the 3rd receiver and got crucified here.

Turns out I was right

Now I'm saying if Rod comes back from his surgery 100% do not count him out. A healthy Rod Smith is better that the inexperienced Brandon Marshall at least for the first half on the season

There is not another Bronco that will help a learning Jay Cutler any more than Rod Smith.

you were right (kinda), but you were right because of an injury.
if he can recover and be able to play pain free, then expect an INCREASE in his production, and expect him to remain the starter throughout the season.

hope all is well my friend.

jake

[Atwater His Ass]

Rod needs to do what's best for Rod. He needs to be thinking about the rest of life after football and I'd hate to see him hurt himself more and live to regret it the rest of his life because he came back to compete for a #3/4 wr spot.

I think only Rod can make that call and I think Shanny will give him as much time as possible to make that call.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Too many people are coming in way too early to say that Rod is done.

I don't believe it, he may be on the way out of the NFL, but he has at least 1 more solid year as a contributor to Denver.

Last season his bum hip probably hurt him more than his surgically repaired hip.

I guarantee that if he had to, Rod would get up tomorrow and run perfect routes and give all he had, no mater how much it hurt him.

Rod has more heart than anyone on the roster, and I still say Marshall won't beat him out for the number 2 spot.

Marshall couldn't overtake him as number 2 when he had a bad hip and now that it is surgically repaired, don't be surprised if Marshall needs to wait 1 more year before he is starting.

[NFLBRONCO]

Too many people are coming in way too early to say that Rod is done.

I don't believe it, he may be on the way out of the NFL, but he has at least 1 more solid year as a contributor to Denver.

Last season his bum hip probably hurt him more than his surgically repaired hip.

I guarantee that if he had to, Rod would get up tomorrow and run perfect routes and give all he had, no mater how much it hurt him.

Rod has more heart than anyone on the roster, and I still say Marshall won't beat him out for the number 2 spot.

Marshall couldn't overtake him as number 2 when he had a bad hip and now that it is surgically repaired, don't be surprised if Marshall needs to wait 1 more year before he is starting.

I think its a bigger blessing Rod is still iffy at this point. The young guys need the most work anyways. Rod knows what to do already if he can't handle his situation he will quit. Rod is year to year now anyways so if or when he does go it won't shock me at any time. Every fan here wishes Rod could play forever but, no player can and at some point their body just can't go any farther.

[JJJ]

Smitty still does have many big roles left with the Broncos

1. Fetching water and Excedrin for Shannarat
2. Modeling new fur coats for Pat Bowlen and his wife
3. Washing Javon Walker's underwear
4. Washing Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
5. Modeling Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
6. Human tee for Elam's kickoff practice in training camp

Yep, I see him as a solid contributor in 07

[Atwater His Ass]

Is that the best you can do? weak sauce...

[TheReverend]

Smitty still does have many big roles left with the Broncos

1. Fetching water and Excedrin for Shannarat
2. Modeling new fur coats for Pat Bowlen and his wife
3. Washing Javon Walker's underwear
4. Washing Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
5. Modeling Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
6. Human tee for Elam's kickoff practice in training camp

Yep, I see him as a solid contributor in 07

Forgive me for imagining there's some kind of irony in a Charger fan criticizing another team's WRs...

LOL

[55CrushEm]

Smitty still does have many big roles left with the Broncos

1. Fetching water and Excedrin for Shannarat
2. Modeling new fur coats for Pat Bowlen and his wife
3. Washing Javon Walker's underwear
4. Washing Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
5. Modeling Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
6. Human tee for Elam's kickoff practice in training camp

Yep, I see him as a solid contributor in 07

Maybe I'm just in a good mood today....but I found that somewhat funny....

[JJJ]

Maybe I'm just in a good mood today....but I found that somewhat funny....

Dude, bar none, you have the best Avatar ever.

Props to that. That is getting some rep from me.

[dbfan4life]

[QUOTE=ZONA;1648445]There is too much depth on this team to save a spot for an injured 37 year old who's numbers have gone down big time over the past few years. [QUOTE]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Rod's only 'bad' year this last one? Year before wasn't he the leading reciever in the AFC West (acutally #4 in the league)? I could be wrong but I'm not. Your're not the only one to say this but his production only decreased last season and he was on a bad hip.

But I do find it unlikely that he can comeback after the type of injury he had and be anything more than the #3 on this team. If anyone could do it, it would be Rod. I would find a way to keep this guy in the locker room for this season.

[ZONA]

I'm just calling it how it is. I'm not trying to let my thoughts of what Rod used to be cloud my vision of what is the here and now. He is 37 years old. It's not like we're talking about the 28 year old Smith now. He had MAJOR hip surgery. Seems like there are quite a few people here who do not realize just how serious that injury is. It's one of the hardest things to do, let go of a superstar and move on. It was tough to do with Elway and it's tough to do with Smith. But you have to move on. You can't keep saying just 1 more year. If Rod came back as a 3rd or 4th guy and maybe produced 200 yards and 1TD, you'd still have guys getting on here next year saying "just one more year". You have to give the young guys playing time and alot of it. You have to make them accountable for producing. You can't just keep the vets in there as a fail safe because they know that safety cushion is there. What if Rod never got his chance to come in and get alot of time because they kept an older banged up vet in there? The time has come. It's here. Rod Smith is 37 and can't even run, probably even walks funny right now. I don't want Rod to compete for a 3rd or 4th guy. That would be like saying keep Elway around to compete for a backup spot. Rod was a true star and I want to remember him that way. Not as some bench guy who gets on the field a few times per game. F that crap. Hang em up Rod. Let us remember you the right way. Don't try and hang on like Rice did just to boost your numbers or whatever. Don't do it. Be a coach or something if you want to be a part of the team still. That would be awesome.

[Garcia Bronco]

I'm just calling it how it is. I'm not trying to let my thoughts of what Rod used to be cloud my vision of what is the here and now. He is 37 years old. It's not like we're talking about the 28 year old Smith now. He had MAJOR hip surgery. Seems like there are quite a few people here who do not realize just how serious that injury is. It's one of the hardest things to do, let go of a superstar and move on. It was tough to do with Elway and it's tough to do with Smith. But you have to move on. You can't keep saying just 1 more year. If Rod came back as a 3rd or 4th guy and maybe produced 200 yards and 1TD, you'd still have guys getting on here next year saying "just one more year". You have to give the young guys playing time and alot of it. You have to make them accountable for producing. You can't just keep the vets in there as a fail safe because they know that safety cushion is there. What if Rod never got his chance to come in and get alot of time because they kept an older banged up vet in there? The time has come. It's here. Rod Smith is 37 and can't even run, probably even walks funny right now. I don't want Rod to compete for a 3rd or 4th guy. That would be like saying keep Elway around to compete for a backup spot. Rod was a true star and I want to remember him that way. Not as some bench guy who gets on the field a few times per game. F that crap. Hang em up Rod. Let us remember you the right way. Don't try and hang on like Rice did just to boost your numbers or whatever. Don't do it. Be a coach or something if you want to be a part of the team still. That would be awesome.

I would rather have the team lose with Rod Smith as long as he wants to play, than to have him forced out by that kind of attitude.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I never understood why fans try to force athletes to retire just because their play is slipping. Did you ever think he enjoys playing? All his life, all he's known is playing football, if he can still play at a pro level, still enjoys the game, and still can get paid for it, why begrudge him that? Its not something he'll be able to take a break from and pick back up again. This is it...so if he wants to play, let him play.

Sorry if that upsets you as a fan, simply because you want to remember him a certain way.

[55CrushEm]

I would rather have the team lose with Rod Smith as long as he wants to play, than to have him forced out by that kind of attitude.

I don't think Zona has a bad attitude about this at all....I think he's speaking very realistically. I love Rod, as much as any other Bronco fan, and would love to see him come back from this injury....but the fact is we're less than 2 weeks from training camp, and he can't even run yet.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think the odds of him playing this year seem slim.

[orange 4 life]

I would rather have the team lose with Rod Smith as long as he wants to play, than to have him forced out by that kind of attitude.

amen brother.

further, WE DONT KNOW that he "cant run".
all we know is that he cant run RIGHT NOW, and if ROD says he's not done, excuse me for believing him instead of zona. he's earned that respect.....from ALL of us.

[dbfan4life]

Zona - I was simply disputing that Rod's permormance had been on the decline for the lat few years. I have no doubts that Rod faces some pretty big obstacles in his rehab, but I would still have Rod riding the pine and being in the locker room than to have him hanging out with Al Wilson on Sunday afternoons. I don't think this team can afford to have another leader gone especially at the WR position.

[orange 4 life]

Smitty still does have many big roles left with the Broncos

1. Fetching water and Excedrin for Shannarat
2. Modeling new fur coats for Pat Bowlen and his wife
3. Washing Javon Walker's underwear
4. Washing Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
5. Modeling Pat Bowlen's wife's underwear
6. Human tee for Elam's kickoff practice in training camp

Yep, I see him as a solid contributor in 07

wow, THAT was pathetic. congrats.

HALF your list is washing peoples underwear? why not make a list to 100 and include 94 more people whos underwear he can wash?

and then you show your football IQ by being stupid enough to think elam still kicks off. he hasnt done it in years, and a fan of another afc west team (that had half a brain) would probably know that. :thumbs:

God that was a pathetic attempt at smack talk.
go get some training and come back another time kiddo.

until then you can hang out on

www.sdboltshaveneverwonsh!t.com

[ZONA]

I would rather have the team lose with Rod Smith as long as he wants to play, than to have him forced out by that kind of attitude.

For real? You'd prefer the team to lose if it meant that Rod could play a few more years? Maybe you don't realize what you just said and should read it over again. Uh, what happened to no player comes before the team? Rod Smith is not bigger then the Denver Broncos. If a genie came out of a magic lamp and said the Broncos would win the superbowl this year if we cut Rod Smith..................guess what? I'm cutting Rod Smith. Winning is the #1 goal of all the coaches and players. That comes before letting a star player at the end of his career hang on for one last year. I guess it's safe to say some fans look at it more like a coach and general manager and take emotion out of it and do what's best for the team, even though it's tough, and some fans look at it like it's a big family. This is no family pic nic. This is a competitive sport and the goal is to win. If that's not your #1 goal then your not thinking right.

[Los Broncos]

i hope he sticks around as a wr coach

That might work, he could coach Marshall for sure.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

That might work, he could coach Marshall for sure.

No chance of that happening. I wish fans would stop this absurd hoping that their favorite players stick around to coach. I bet Peyton Manning is Indy's future QB coach!!!

[Los Broncos]

I said it might work.

I'm not holding on to anything but a ice cold brew.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

For real? You'd prefer the team to lose if it meant that Rod could play a few more years? Maybe you don't realize what you just said and should read it over again. Uh, what happened to no player comes before the team? Rod Smith is not bigger then the Denver Broncos. If a genie came out of a magic lamp and said the Broncos would win the superbowl this year if we cut Rod Smith..................guess what? I'm cutting Rod Smith. Winning is the #1 goal of all the coaches and players. That comes before letting a star player at the end of his career hang on for one last year. I guess it's safe to say some fans look at it more like a coach and general manager and take emotion out of it and do what's best for the team, even though it's tough, and some fans look at it like it's a big family. This is no family pic nic. This is a competitive sport and the goal is to win. If that's not your #1 goal then your not thinking right.

I agree with you there. We all obviously root for the uniform here, not just the individual. I personally pretty much root for the uni specifically. When players leave, i might not mind if they do well elsewhere, but i dont know any of em personally, so its hard to remain attached

[Garcia Bronco]

For real? You'd prefer the team to lose if it meant that Rod could play a few more years? Maybe you don't realize what you just said and should read it over again. Uh, what happened to no player comes before the team? Rod Smith is not bigger then the Denver Broncos. If a genie came out of a magic lamp and said the Broncos would win the superbowl this year if we cut Rod Smith..................guess what? I'm cutting Rod Smith. Winning is the #1 goal of all the coaches and players. That comes before letting a star player at the end of his career hang on for one last year. I guess it's safe to say some fans look at it more like a coach and general manager and take emotion out of it and do what's best for the team, even though it's tough, and some fans look at it like it's a big family. This is no family pic nic. This is a competitive sport and the goal is to win. If that's not your #1 goal then your not thinking right.


Winning isn't always the goal...and sometimes less is more, but I would rather lose with Rod Smith than see him forced out when he's not ready. He's earned it and few ever do. That's why he's a Hall of Famer in my book. He'll know when he's done. Having said that...the obstacles are great, but if anybody can navigate it, it's Rod Smith. This is the same guy that still carries around his last food stamp to remind him of the hard times. This is the same guy that had control issues to the point it involved the law and he over came that too. You're right. I am emotional about the Broncos, but not just team performance but some of the great players too. Right now there is no greater Bronco on the active roster than Rod Smith.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Winning isn't always the goal...and sometimes less is more, but I would rather lose with Rod Smith than see him forced out when he's not ready. He's earned it and few ever do. That's why he's a Hall of Famer in my book. He'll know when he's done. Having said that...the obstacles are great, but if anybody can navigate it, it's Rod Smith. This is the same guy that still carries around his last food stamp to remind him of the hard times. This is the same guy that had control issues to the point it involved the law and he over came that too. You're right. I am emotional about the Broncos, but not just team performance but some of the great players too. Right now there is no greater Bronco on the active roster than Rod Smith.

Winning isnt the only goal? We are fans of a pro football team...what else do we have???

[Garcia Bronco]

Winning isnt the only goal? We are fans of a pro football team...what else do we have???

Not for me. And we have much much more.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Zona - I see where you are comin from. But I dont agree.

2006 was a very unusual year for Rod, and many of us assumed age had finally caught up with him. We had little to no idea at the time the extent of his hip injury - which he claims was the real culprit behind the poor numbers.

I would like to see Rod have the chance to show us all that 2006 was an injury related fluke.

There are few players in the NFL that have legitimately earned the right to go out on their own terms - and Rod is easily one of them.

And I hear your point about sacrificing playing/development of younger guys in favor of veterans. But it seems Rod was destined to be #3 this season anyway with the emergence of Marshall

Personally, I dont care if Kircus or Devoe dont get as much playing time as they might like because Rod is on the field doing his thing. Doesnt seem like much of a loss to me.

Its not like having Rod around is going to hurt any young player's growth - if anything - the opposite as he is pretty much a coach on the field. Not every vet can say that.

[Sassy]

I agree with you there. We all obviously root for the uniform here, not just the individual. I personally pretty much root for the uni specifically. When players leave, i might not mind if they do well elsewhere, but i dont know any of em personally, so its hard to remain attached

I think you do get attached to players even if the game is a team effort...just look at the reactions to DWill and DNash :(

[ZONA]

Zona - I see where you are comin from. But I dont agree.

2006 was a very unusual year for Rod, and many of us assumed age had finally caught up with him. We had little to no idea at the time the extent of his hip injury - which he claims was the real culprit behind the poor numbers.

I would like to see Rod have the chance to show us all that 2006 was an injury related fluke.

There are few players in the NFL that have legitimately earned the right to go out on their own terms - and Rod is easily one of them.

And I hear your point about sacrificing playing/development of younger guys in favor of veterans. But it seems Rod was destined to be #3 this season anyway with the emergence of Marshall

Personally, I dont care if Kircus or Devoe dont get as much playing time as they might like because Rod is on the field doing his thing. Doesnt seem like much of a loss to me.

Its not like having Rod around is going to hurt any young player's growth - if anything - the opposite as he is pretty much a coach on the field. Not every vet can say that.

I can understand your view as well, and it's a lagitimate view. The hip I'm sure DID have a huge impact on his game last year, but at what point? He didn't, as I recall, start off the season with blazing numbers and I don't recall hearing anything about the hip during preseason so when exactly did the hip get hurt and "start affecting his game"? With that said, he is 37 and depending on when his birthday is, will eventually be 38 (maybe during the season I don't know) and he IS coming back from a MAJOR hip surgury. I know there might have been a few good receivers still playing at 37 but I don't think many, and how many were coming back the next season after major hip surgury? The odds are all against Rod coming back and playing a major roll. Now if he does come back 100% and beats out some guys like Devoe and Kircus for the 3rd or 4th spot (I still think a healthy Hixon will earn that 3rd spot), that's not that big a deal I guess. Rod can teach the young guys but don't forget, going against Bly and Bailey will also help teach them. In the end, Shanny will do what he has to do. I don't agree that some players have earned the right to go out on their own terms. Just as we saw Rice a few years ago, some don't want to ever go out since it's all they know and they love it so much. You have to end up cutting them, even though it's not popular. That may be the case with Rod this year, we shall see. Rice was healthy though, he had just slowed down too much. If he's healthy and can get the 4th spot, I think Shanny would keep him. Mostly I just don't agree with the folks that think Rod is gonna come back and play a MAJOR roll this year and even be the 2nd rcvr. I just don't see that happening. The older a player gets, the longer it takes to recover each week. I think alot of vets feel good after the offseason and think they can keep going, and middle of the season, they disappear. Rod can do what he wants but I'd like to see him quit rather then getting cut. We shall see.

OK - I think I beat that horse to death. Next topic? LOL

[CHANGSTER]

Did i miss something? Don't think Devoe is on the team.