dragondawg
08-08-2007, 04:29 AM
Plus size could be a plus
It isn't as if Montrae Holland didn't know what he was getting into when he signed with the Broncos.
He had studied tape and knew it was a movement-based scheme on the offensive line.
Still, he feels like a pioneer, of sorts, now that he has joined the Broncos.
"I feel like I'm making a new thing here, having a big guy for the system," said Holland, a free-agent pickup from the New Orleans Saints. "I'm 325 (pounds), and the rest of the guys are 280 and 290. But it's the choice I made."
The Saints' philosophy up front was more power-based, which suited Holland at his size, yet he didn't experience "a lot of side-to-side action."
But Denver was convinced he had the feet to be able to excel on the move, even though he was bigger than the Broncos' norm up front.
Besides, the thinking was, the extra bulk Holland possessed could prove helpful, what with Jay Cutler a more pocket-oriented passer.
Holland has spent the past several months getting assimilated to the new offense and new teammates. He ran with the second team at right guard until Monday, when Chris Kuper had a rough practice and Holland replaced him on the first team. That configuration stayed the same Tuesday.
The scenario has turned out just as it was presented on Holland's free-agent visit - that Kuper was the initial front-runner to replace Cooper Carlisle because of his experience but the competition was open.
"When you get an opportunity, you can't jack around with it," said Holland, who recently signed a two-year extension through 2009. "And that's my mind-set every day. Don't take any steps backward. Take it and run with it."
Even if it's laterally.
Baby steps for Scheffler
It was only a first step, but tight end Tony Scheffler practiced briefly for the first time since training camp started.
The second-year player had been on the physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from a broken bone in his left foot.
Scheffler drew sarcastic "oohs" and "ahhs" from teammates as he caught a pass during offensive drills before team work. He was in street clothes by the time practice was over. But the plan is to work him in slowly with the hope of having him be a full-time participant in about a week.
"It's pretty much healed," he said of the foot, which he first injured May 21. "Getting the soreness out is all I'm working on."
Scheffler gauged it might take a couple of days to get readjusted to running plays during practice instead of merely studying the playbook.
"But physically, I think I'm stronger than I've ever been," he said.
He said it
"They, obviously, gave me the business. They're working hard out in the heat and they claim I'm over there in the air conditioning having a breeze."
Tony Scheffler, on teammates' reaction to the first week of camp while he rehabilitated his left foot and stayed on the sideline
Abdullah gets a chance
One of the camp standouts so far has been safety Hamza Abdullah who got a chance to run with the first defense for a spell Tuesday, with John Lynch nursing a bruised sternum.
"He deserves the opportunity with the kind of plays he's been making," said defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, who oversees the secondary. "He's been making hits and tackles and (pass) knockdowns. He's a live wire. We're really happy with what he's been doing."
While Curome Cox, a former cornerback, likely will get the nod in dime packages because of his more natural cover skills, Abdullah, a true safety, has a chance to be the top backup in base packages should Lynch or Nick Ferguson go down for an extended period.
"I've said it before, because a lot of people were questioning our depth at safety, that I think he's a star in the making," Lynch said. "I really do. He's got all the physical skills, and now the mental part's coming together."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5663691,00.html
It isn't as if Montrae Holland didn't know what he was getting into when he signed with the Broncos.
He had studied tape and knew it was a movement-based scheme on the offensive line.
Still, he feels like a pioneer, of sorts, now that he has joined the Broncos.
"I feel like I'm making a new thing here, having a big guy for the system," said Holland, a free-agent pickup from the New Orleans Saints. "I'm 325 (pounds), and the rest of the guys are 280 and 290. But it's the choice I made."
The Saints' philosophy up front was more power-based, which suited Holland at his size, yet he didn't experience "a lot of side-to-side action."
But Denver was convinced he had the feet to be able to excel on the move, even though he was bigger than the Broncos' norm up front.
Besides, the thinking was, the extra bulk Holland possessed could prove helpful, what with Jay Cutler a more pocket-oriented passer.
Holland has spent the past several months getting assimilated to the new offense and new teammates. He ran with the second team at right guard until Monday, when Chris Kuper had a rough practice and Holland replaced him on the first team. That configuration stayed the same Tuesday.
The scenario has turned out just as it was presented on Holland's free-agent visit - that Kuper was the initial front-runner to replace Cooper Carlisle because of his experience but the competition was open.
"When you get an opportunity, you can't jack around with it," said Holland, who recently signed a two-year extension through 2009. "And that's my mind-set every day. Don't take any steps backward. Take it and run with it."
Even if it's laterally.
Baby steps for Scheffler
It was only a first step, but tight end Tony Scheffler practiced briefly for the first time since training camp started.
The second-year player had been on the physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from a broken bone in his left foot.
Scheffler drew sarcastic "oohs" and "ahhs" from teammates as he caught a pass during offensive drills before team work. He was in street clothes by the time practice was over. But the plan is to work him in slowly with the hope of having him be a full-time participant in about a week.
"It's pretty much healed," he said of the foot, which he first injured May 21. "Getting the soreness out is all I'm working on."
Scheffler gauged it might take a couple of days to get readjusted to running plays during practice instead of merely studying the playbook.
"But physically, I think I'm stronger than I've ever been," he said.
He said it
"They, obviously, gave me the business. They're working hard out in the heat and they claim I'm over there in the air conditioning having a breeze."
Tony Scheffler, on teammates' reaction to the first week of camp while he rehabilitated his left foot and stayed on the sideline
Abdullah gets a chance
One of the camp standouts so far has been safety Hamza Abdullah who got a chance to run with the first defense for a spell Tuesday, with John Lynch nursing a bruised sternum.
"He deserves the opportunity with the kind of plays he's been making," said defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, who oversees the secondary. "He's been making hits and tackles and (pass) knockdowns. He's a live wire. We're really happy with what he's been doing."
While Curome Cox, a former cornerback, likely will get the nod in dime packages because of his more natural cover skills, Abdullah, a true safety, has a chance to be the top backup in base packages should Lynch or Nick Ferguson go down for an extended period.
"I've said it before, because a lot of people were questioning our depth at safety, that I think he's a star in the making," Lynch said. "I really do. He's got all the physical skills, and now the mental part's coming together."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5663691,00.html